Heart of Midlothian

Bobster: That was much better. A great team performance with no-one having a poor game. We are pressing high and creating attacks while defending well. We still made some poor decisions in the final third so 4-0 flattered St Mirren in the end. Regardless of the result, the football was much better to watch today than it has been in recent weeks.

Ronnie: At last a team game where everyone knew their positions and what they had been tasked to carry out. I feel that the team clicked today and had a game plan that actually worked. Shankland still looks disinterested but maybe if we continue in this vain and head up the table he will see that everything isn’t just blue. Good start.

Sandy: A wonderful win for Hearts, who were under a lot of pressure and playing with a new manager. Despite recent poor form it was great to see another full house at Tynecastle. As a fan, it was very enjoyable and I don’t think Gordon had a save to make!

Finn: I thought we looked so calm and composed on the ball even when St Mirren were pressing us. Blair Spittal was the man of the match for me, he looked so eager and hungry to win the ball back, but nevertheless can’t fault any of the players for anything at all. Great performance.

Kevin: What a difference. All goals great, team looked well played out. We looked dangerous all game. Spittal outstanding though whole team played well. Win next week and that gives the new manager a bit of breathing space to settle in. Overall I am a happy Jambo.

Chris: I was very lethargic regarding the new manager and I know one game doesn’t make a season, but the aggressiveness of wanting to go forward, for the first time in years, was so nice to see. We avoided the easy pass and split the defence superbly. Over the moon Shankland was subbed, he was poor (bar the assist) and he needed that reality check. Onwards.

Image source, SNS

Blair Spittal says "it's important we don't get too ahead of ourselves" after Hearts got head coach Neil Critchley's reign off to the perfect start.

The Gorgie side hit St Mirren for four at Tynecastle in Critchley's first game, which secured the side's first league win of the season.

Spittal, who curled in the fourth, stressed the importance of kicking off the new boss' tenure on a positive note.

"We have been looking for that type of performance with a clinical edge for a while now," the midfielder told BBC Scotland.

"It was nice go out there and put on a performance and get the manager's reign off to a good start.

"I think [Critchley] was keen to stress it was a fresh start for everyone with fresh ideas. It needs all of us to buy in. He said that after the game.

"But it’s important we don't get too ahead of ourselves. Obviously we are still in a position we don't want to be in the league. We need to back these performances up."

Image source, SNS

• St. Mirren failed to attempt a shot on target in this game, it's the first time they failed to attempt a shot on target in a game in the Premiership since facing Celtic on 13 April 2024.

• Hearts have scored in their last four games in the Premiership, their longest run of games with a goal in the competition since a run of six games from 28 February 2024 to 13 April 2024.

• Lawrence Shankland has contributed to goals in his last three games in the Premiership (one goal, two assists).

• Shankland has assisted three goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), more than any other Hearts player.

• Blair Spittal has scored two goals in the Premiership this season (one in this game), no Hearts player has more.

Hearts head coach Neil Critchley: "When you’re going to sleep last night, you dream of a few goals and keeping a clean sheet. I’m made up for the players, they've been really receptive to me this week and the work that we've done.

"I think getting the first goal was massive. I'm obviously delighted for the supporters to go home, seeing a clean sheet, seeing some goals and making them happy again.

"The first goal is really important in any game and how we started the game was important. I thought we did start the game well, thought we moved the ball well, got real good control of the game and were threatening.

"But I also say, look, we've come from behind in games this season and responded, you never know what's quite going to happen, it's more about our attitude and our mentality for the whole of the game.

"I think we could have done better in the second half with our control of the game, we probably allowed them to hit too many balls on top of us, but that would probably be a bit nitpicking maybe.

"I sensed it beforehand [the crowd being lifted by the first goal].

I think they were encouraged by the start that we made, and obviously that's what we wanted to do, get the crowd behind us.

"Fantastic first goal, you know, the way we worked it around the box. I think it was into Shanks and the one-two with Kenneth. It was a great start. Not sure where the second goal came from, from Dan. Not sure he's done that too many times in his career, but, you know, and then young James coming on, Blair continued his goal-scoring form.

"It's been a great day all around."

Image source, SNS

Blair Spittal was a key player for Hearts, particularly in their most dominant spells prior to the interval.

He took his goal well, curling it perfectly into the bottom corner and it was a deserved strike following an influential performance.

He linked play well with Shankland and Vargas and was often used in transition to get his side up the pitch.

Hearts recorded their first Scottish Premiership win of the season in new head coach Neil Critchley's first game in charge against beleaguered St Mirren.

Lawrence Shankland's smart edge-of-the-area flick freed Kenneth Vargas to give the hosts their first domestic lead of the season with a powerful strike.

Moments into the second half the hosts strung together a sequence of passes that shifted play back and forth across the pitch before Daniel Oyegoke curled a sensational effort into the top corner from 20 yards.

Stephen Robinson's side were condemned to their third top-flight loss in a row after 17-year-old James Wilson's late tap-in and Blair Spittal's curling effort secured a much-needed win for Hearts.

Were you at Tynecastle, or following from elsewhere? Have your say on the game here., external

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Summer signings Dhanda and Spittal had yet to bring their form of last season to Gorgie but this afternoon may have been their unofficial arrival.

In the first half, they were constantly involved, with Dhanda going close with a low, driven effort across the goal and Spittal showing multiple smart touches around the box when combining with Shankland and Vargas.

Penrice and Oyegoke were pivotal on the overlap too, often dragging St Mirren’s defenders away from the two attacking midfielders for the hosts, giving them more space and time on the ball.

Indeed, Dhanda registered his side's highest total of passes in the final third with 18, with Spittal contributing 13.

Pre-match, Critchley said he would pick the “ formation of the team that suits the players,” it may be a small sample size but he has certainly started well.

New Hearts head coach Neil Critchley makes two changes from the side's previous starting XI.

One is confronted with the suspended Jorge Grant out for this afternoon's match with Stephen Kingsley dropping to the bench.

James Penrice and Beni Baningime come into the side.

Image source, SNS

Heart of Midlothian: Gordon, Oyegoke, Kent, Rowles, Penrice, Baningime, Boateng, Spittal, Dhanda, Shankland, Vargas.

Substitutes: Clark, Kingsley, Halkett, McKay, Devlin, Forrest, Wilson, Boyce, Forrester.

St Mirren: Balcombe, Fraser, Gogic, Dunne, Tanser, O’Hara, Kiltie, Smyth, Phillips, Olusanya, Van Veen.

Substitutes: Urminsky, Bwomono, Brown, Boyd-Munce, Adeniran, Idowu, Mooney, Scott, Mandron.

Follow live coverage here.

Image source, SNS

Liam Fox has been appointed as Hearts' assistant first-team coach after Neil Critchley's appointment as permanent boss.

Fox, 40, had been acting as caretaker head coach following the dismissal of Steven Naismith last month and guided Hearts to victory in the Conference League, as they beat Dinamo Minsk in Azerbaijan.

The former Dundee United manager had also been the head coach of Hearts' B team, who play in the Lowland League, but now joins Critchley and assistant Mike Garrity in the dugout.

Fox has previously held backroom positions in management teams at Hearts, assisting both Robbie Neilson and Craig Levein during their spells in charge.

The former Hearts youth player has also been on the staff at Livingston and Aberdeen, and briefly managed Cowdenbeath in the 2016-17 season.

Speaking to Hearts' website, Critchley said: "I’m delighted that Liam has agreed to join the first team coaching setup. In the short time that I’ve been at the club, his experience and knowledge of not only the group of players, but the football club in general, has been invaluable.

"Liam has a lot to offer as a coach and I’m very much looking forward to continuing to work with him."

Image source, SNS

Hearts remain without Gerald Taylor, Yutaro Oda and Calem Nieuwenhof while Lawrence Shankland, Stephen Kingsley and Daniel Oyegoke are all trying to shake off minor injuries. Jorge Grant is suspended.

Scott Tanser returns from suspension for St Mirren but Charles Dunne and Greg Kiltie are doubts and Richard Taylor is out after hernia surgery. Alex Iacovitti (tendon) is out long term while Conor McMenamin (knee) is working his way back.

Image source, SNS

Neil Critchley insists he is prepared for the demand for success that comes with the territory at Tynecastle, as he prepares for his first match in charge.

Winless Hearts are bottom of the Scottish Premiership, and while Critchley says it will take time for the players to adjust to his tactics, he says he will demand "commitment and passion" from his squad.

"I think it's quite normal at any big football club that's underachieving, it's normal there is an expectation and it's one I’m comfortable with," Critchley said.

"The immediate focus is to win football games, to get off the bottom of the Premiership, that’s our expectation.

"What I can control are the things we're working on on the training pitch every day that give us the best chance of deciding the outcome of the game. That's what I’ve been focusing on this week with the players.

"Of course it's going to take some time to get to the team I want us to be in the future, but the things that a Hearts team can be – hard work, effort, commitment, passion – those are things in our control. The tactical side is going to take a little bit longer."

Critchley succeeded Steven Naismith as head coach earlier this week, and candidly admitted this is the biggest job he has had in football, having previously managed Blackpool and Queens Park Rangers.

"This is the biggest football club I’ve been at without a shadow of a doubt when managing," he added. "You feel it, but what I have felt is a genuine compassion towards me and people really wanting me to do well because that means the club does well.

"I've had a fantastic week, I've really enjoyed it and I hope it gets capped off with a performance and three points, and we feel the Tynecastle atmosphere tomorrow."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Hearts head coach Neil Critchley has been talking to the media before his first match in charge, against St Mirren on Saturday.

Here are the key points from his press conference:

• Excited about his first match in charge at Tynecastle, and says everyone at the club has been "welcoming and supportive".

• Insists there are no morale issues in the dressing room, and says he has been impressed by the players ability, and also their "attitude and mentality".

• Appreciates there is an expectation for Hearts to improve their results and climb the league table, but says he is "comfortable" with that pressure.

• Says it will take time for him to implement his tactical ideas, but things like "hard work, commitment and passion" are within their immediate control.

• Critchley says he had a "good chat" with Lawrence Shankland in training, and has "no reason" to change the captaincy.

• Thanked "fantastic person" Craig Gordon for asking the fans to give him a chance to prove himself.

• Team news: Gerald Taylor remains out. Yutaro Oda will miss the next few weeks, but Calem Nieuwenhof is "back on the grass running".

Looking to the future, new Hearts boss Neil Critchley insists the gap between the Old Firm and the rest is not insurmountable. (Scotsman), external

Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland has recovered from the hamstring injury that forced him out of the Scotland squad. (Daily Record), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

We asked for your views on what you want to see from Neil Critchley's Hearts.

Here's what some of you said:

Steve: What I'm hoping for and what I expect are two totally different outcomes. I'm hoping that we tighten the defence with sound selections and have a shutout. I'm hoping that we can take our chances and finally score a few through our strikers. What I expect is more of the same old, midfield missing and wasting the few chances we create.

David: Absolute priority is three points at the weekend. Follow this with a Conference League win next Thursday and hopefully it will lift players and fans alike. For a team who has the third best possession stats in the league, we have to find a way to turn this into an end product. Given the Lawrence Shankland situation, two new strikers in January are a must.

Anon: Critchley is one of the most respected football brains around. He took Blackpool to a promotion and almost the play-offs the next season. His last two jobs made the decision to sack him was ridiculously hasty. Get behind him, get the players to buy into him and he will give you everything.

Alan: More effort, Kenneth Vargas playing deeper and more youth given a chance. I also see Shankland departing in January.

Graham: Tighten the defence and be sharper in attack. Win ugly if necessary but just win. Prove the naysayers wrong even though he's not bringing a magic wand. Good luck, Neil.

Ronnie: I am looking for a more organised team, players who know what they are supposed to do on the pitch and also the strongest team on the park with players playing in positions they were signed to play in. I would like attacking football but generally I would like us to start picking up points and moving up the table.

Murray: All he has to do is to win games, we have yet to take the lead in any games played this season and with five substitutes allowed during a game, fast starts would be a good start.

Chris: You could say winning is all we need to do, and it is, but some sort of identity is needed. Even when we were winning last season it was incredibly boring to watch. I'd strip the captaincy from Shankland and hand it back to Craig Gordon, Shanks is off and isn't what we need in a captain just now. I have zero enthusiasm going into this new era.

Bob: Critchley must prioritise tightening up Hearts' attack for St Mirren. Turning possession into meaningful chances is key, as recent performances have been too tame up front. Instilling confidence in the team to press higher and finish chances is crucial, along with energising Shankland and providing tactical discipline to prevent counter-attacks.

Image source, SNS

• Heart of Midlothian have won 15 of their last 19 top-flight home games against St Mirren (D2 L2), winning this exact fixture last season 2-0.

• After their 2-1 win in September, St Mirren could earn consecutive top-flight victories over Hearts for the first time since September 1988.

• Hearts have just two points from eight league games this season (W0 D2 L6), the joint-fewest by any side in their opening eight matches of a Scottish Premiership campaign since the re-brand in 2013 (also Dundee United in 2022-23).

• St Mirren have won just one of their last 10 away league games (D3 L6), a 3-1 victory at Dundee in May.

• Last season’s Scottish Premiership top scorer Lawrence Shankland has had more shots than any player in this season’s competition (31), but has found the net just once (3.2% conversion rate).

Image source, SNS

Lee Miller believes new Hearts boss Neil Critchley arrives at Tynecastle "with a decent pedigree" - and the former striker is urging fans to give the head coach "the benefit of the doubt".

The ex-Blackpool manager takes over from Steven Naismith with the team currently sitting bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

The appointment came after talks broke down between the Gorgie club and former Norway boss Per-Mathias Hogmo - and Critchley was handed the role days later.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, Miller, who had a loan spell at Hearts in 2005, said: "A lot of the fans are split with this decision.

"I don't know if he was the first choice, but he comes with a decent pedigree. I think every managerial appointment is a gamble.

"You look at Ange Postecoglou coming to Celtic, nobody wanted him and he did tremendous things.

"I think you've go to give him the benefit of the doubt. Hearts have a very good squad, they're underachieving massively right now.

"If they can get a really good manager to take them to the next level, I think they will kick on again."

New Hearts head coach Neil Critchley says he has spent a lot of time over the past few weeks watching Scottish football, including every competitive fixture the Edinburgh club have played this season. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Tynecastle goalkeeper Craig Gordon is asking sceptical Hearts fans to get behind new boss Neil Critchley. (Scottish Sun), external

Read the rest of Thursday's Scottish gossip.

Image source, SNS

Image source, SNS

Scottish FA head of referees Willie Collum backed the overturning of a penalty awarded to Hearts in their 2-0 defeat at Celtic Park, and the award of a spot-kick to the hosts in the same game, on 14 September.

Liam Scales was initially penalised for a handball but VAR intervened, meaning there was no penalty, and later Nicolas Kuhn's cross hit James Penrice's hand, leading to Arne Engels' opener from the spot.

On the Scales incident, Collum said: "The VAR looks at different angles and they quickly identify that it actually hits the defender above the T-shirt line and that's really important because above the T-shirt line is not a punishable handball.

And on the Penrice decision, he added: "The Hearts defender has his arm raised unnaturally and blocks the cross... the arm is out from the body."

With domestic football making its return this weekend, we want to know what you’re looking for from your side.

It's been a miserable start to the season for Hearts, who sit bottom of the table after an eight-game winless run in the league.

That form resulted in the sacking of Steven Naismith - and now Neil Critchley is in the head coach role.

What does the new boss need to prioritise with the weekend visit of St Mirren fast approaching?

Give us your thoughts here, external.

We asked for your views on Neil Critchley being appointed head coach.

Here's what some of you said:

Ando: Appointing Critchley is a bit like when you're driving home from work and you've just remembered it's your anniversary. You stop at a garage and buy some cheap flowers hoping that'll keep you out of trouble. This appointment is exactly that - a panic buy that will wilt far sooner than you expected, and critically, you'll still be in trouble!

Jamie: Another unknown appointment. Another cheap option by the board. The news about the new head coach never filled any fans with excitement. What do we have to do to get a decent name as a manager? Surely from around 100 applications there was a well known name in there, but we have gone cheap again. Maybe it's time for new board members now too.

Robert: We'll be playing in the Championship next season, guaranteed. I've been a pledger from day one, it stops here. This is a joke appointment and if it was an algorithm that selected Critchley then the programmer needs a new job pronto.

Andrew: Good luck to Critchey in the manager's role at Hearts. I've been a season ticket holder at Blackpool for a number of years and witnessed some shocking performances under him. Hearts fans, get ready for a rollercoaster of a season!

Iain: Embarrassing, will likely be gone by Christmas. When that happens, the board will be going shortly behind him as their positions will be utterly untenable. Obviously though, the problem by then will be we will be bang in a relegation battle that we aren't cut out to survive. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot.

Kevo: The analytics were always going to be low on whelms, designed to find people under the radar not what everyone else pays top dollar for. Why question a billionaire?

Kuptin: One minute there's news that Per-Mathias Hegmo's the preferred candidate, the next minute he's clearly pulled out. Hearts were right to dump someone that unreliable. As for Critchley, you can only appoint the best of those who apply for the job. Would you want to do it?

Steven: It's done now, welcome Critchley. I sincerely hope he is successful but he has an almighty task as we sit bottom of the league. The board have done him no favours, he wasn't the first choice and the supporters know it. If this goes wrong then there will be board members that will have to own their mistakes. Fingers crossed for Neil.

Steve: Look at the managerial appointments under Ann Budge and Andrew McKinlay, appalling record, so why let them appoint another no-hoper? Critchley sacked from his last two jobs, anyone can talk a good interview but this is a joke. Did Ian Cathro interview well? I don’t see us in Europe next season, might just finish in the top six. I feel sorry for the fans and players.

Paul: This is a left-field appointment and one that I don't think was necessary. Surely other candidates would have suited better? It seems a gamble on someone who was recently shown the door at Blackpool after a dismal spell at QPR. What are they playing at here?

Ali: Some fans are way too negative with their comments regarding the new manager. Every candidate has been sacked at some point in their career and I for one am willing to reserve judgement until the guy has been with us for a few months. Let's see if he can turn things around and give him our full support in that aim.