Veteran Hearts defender Christophe Berra is set to be involved in Sunday’s Scottish Cup Final at Hampden Park. However, the player has admitted that if it wasn’t for the Covid-19 pandemic then he likely wouldn’t be a Hearts player at the moment.
Under former manager Daniel Stendel Berra was sent on loan to Dundee, and wasn’t part of his plans at Tynecastle.
Given a second chance
However, the pandemic came, Stendal left the club, and now Berra has been given a second chance at Hearts thanks to current manager Robbie Neilson.
“It’s a strange one. If there was no pandemic the old manager would have been here and I wouldn’t have been involved. The old manager came in and didn’t want me here. If he’d have stayed there’s no beating about the bush, that’s the way it was” he said (The Scottish Sun).
Berra admits that he has worked hard to get back in favour at Tynecastle under Neilson, and has looked to impress on the training ground.
“A clean slate”
“Then the new manager came in with a clean slate. I’d been at clubs before where managers come and go, and you’ve just got to turn up every day, train well and do your best. I’ve got my own pride and high standards. It’s just my character and the way I work” Berra said.
The centre-back is now looking forward to taking on Celtic, and he is hoping to add to his medal collection.
“I won the league with Wolves so any winner’s medal is really special. Not many people get to play in cup finals. No matter what league you’re in, usually there’s a team that will dominate. It’s a big opportunity for us.”