Bruno Aguiar, having helped Hearts finish above Rangers in 2006, is happy to impart advice to the current side as they bid to replicate that feat this season.

The Tynecastle side split the Old Firm with a second place finish in the top-flight during that memorable campaign, which was capped by a Scottish Cup triumph at Hampden over Gretna.

Aguiar was a team-mate of Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson eight years ago at the start of Vladimir Romanov's tumultuous reign that ultimately led Hearts into administration.

The 33-year-old was back in Edinburgh at the weekend to attend a Big Hearts Community Trust fundraiser, and also took in the narrow victory at Falkirk.

Ahead of Saturday's eagerly awaited top of the table clash with Rangers, Aguiar insists Hearts must believe in themselves if they are to pip Ally McCoist's side to the Championship title.

The Portuguese, now playing in his homeland with second- tier Oriental, said: "I like what I see from this Hearts team, they played really well against Falkirk. I believe they can get back to the Premiership because this is where they belong. I've not seen Rangers but I like what I saw of Hearts.

"I'm confident and I trust these young players and my friend Robbie, who is doing a great job. The most important thing is that you must believe in your team. When you believe in each other things can happen.

"This is what happened in 2006, when we were in the dressing room we knew we had the quality and altogether we achieved our targets.

"If I had any advice to give to this team, it would be to just keep doing what you are doing because they're doing well.

"It's just a game, okay it's against Rangers but it's just three points and they must treat it like a normal game and play to win."