Hearts enjoyed an "amazing night", says new head coach Neil Critchley, after they recorded a dominant Conference League win over Cypriot side Omonia Nicosia.

After beating St Mirren last weekend in Critchley's first game as head coach, the Tynecastle club put on another dominant display and looked far removed from the side that made a historically bad start to the season.

The hosts blew Omonia away during the first half in Edinburgh, with fine strikes from Alan Forrest and Blair Spittal enough to see off the visitors and earn a second Conference League win in two games.

"I loved it," Critchley told BBC Scotland. "Our start got the crowd involved - that was our plan. It was a very intimidating atmosphere and they found it difficult.

"When we won the ball back, we were good with it and I thought we were fully deserving of our two goals. We were really difficult to play against."

Spirits are now high in Gorgie and the run of form comes at the perfect time with the first Edinburgh derby of the season on Sunday.

Hearts flew out of the blocks, clearly buoyed by the fine performance last weekend, out-thinking and outplaying Omonia from the first whistle.

They pressed high through Shankland, Spittal and Kenneth Vargas and repeatedly won the ball back in Omonia territory.

It only took 16 minutes to find the opener. Spittal had a shot blocked inside the area, but it bounced nicely for Forrest, who controlled in the box and lashed into the top corner with his weaker left foot.

Frankie Kent nodded a corner wide when he should have scored and Shankland almost made it two, only to be denied by a brilliant diving save from Fabiano.

The captain, though, helped set up the second.

Receiving a throw in the box, he backheeled to Spittal, who curled in from close range - his third goal in three games.

The former Motherwell midfielder then went close to his second and Hearts' third, driving at goal and firing a shot inches past the post from just outside the box.

Shankland dragged another shot wide, before another was blocked off the line, and there was a feeling it just was not his night.

The second half was a quieter affair. Omonia did hit a post but the play was eventually pulled back for an offside, and Hearts suffered the same fate when Jorge Grant's tap-in was chalked off.

Critchley has not even been in the post for two weeks, but already seems to have obliterated any malaise in his squad and found a style that suits Hearts.

His high-press, fast-tempo style has gotten the best out of players who had previously struggled to replicate the form of last season.

Spittal was superb, Malachi Boateng brilliant, and Forrest fantastic in the first-half. They all looked full of belief and clear in mind of what the plan was.

That was the main criticism thrown at Steven Naismith before his exit. There was no clear identity to his side, in complete contrast to Critchley's XI.

In this game, each player was assured in their tactical roles. Spittal hovered behind Shankland up front and Forrest on the left, with Vargas drifting further to the right when he was supporting the main striker.

At the back too, players seemed more confident.

Kye Rowles and Kent have built a solid partnership, while 19-year-old Adam Forrester was excellent in only his third professional start.

The real test will be on Sunday. It's been a good start for the new head coach. A win - any win - over rivals Hibs would make it perfect.

Hearts head coach Neil Critchley: "I've absolutely loved every second of being here. This is a brilliant football club with top people, and I'm not just saying that.

"I envisage myself being here in the future and I'm desperate to do well. I need to get results and if I do that, the supporters will come with us and come with me."

[On the upcoming Edinburgh derby] "From day one, it's drummed into you. The staff, who've been here for years, make it quite clear what this game means to the supporters. Hopefully we send them home happy because it would top off a great week for us. I wish it was tomorrow."

Hearts attacker Blair Spittal: "It was a great feeling scoring my first European goal. It's something to look back on as a proud moment.

"It was a good performance from the team, especially in the first half. We took the game away from them, started really well.

"In the second half, we could've been better. The manager said that after the game. All in all, 2-0 win, clean sheet, you can't ask for much better."