Heart of Midlothian

Thomas Duncan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Like most of the opponents Hearts will face in the Conference League, Omonia are capable of making life tricky but should not strike fear into those at Tynecastle.

Currently sixth in the Cypriot First League after losing their last two games without scoring, the Nicosia side have also lost their last two away games.

Even their 4-0 win against Icelandic side Vikingur in their opener is not as impressive as it looks, with three late goals adding gloss to the scoreline after a competitive game.

Their most recognisable faces are former Manchester City, Inter Milan and Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic, who won this tournament with Olympiakos last term, and centre-back Filip Helander, who won the league with Rangers in 2021.

However, the former cannot play in Europe because he signed after the registration deadline, while Sweden defender Helander is not a nailed-on starter.

What they do have is players with international experience - particularly with Cyprus - and some European pedigree in recent years.

Back in 2022 under Neil Lennon they played Manchester United twice in the Europa League group stage and pushed Erik Ten Hag's side to the limit before losing 3-2 at home and 1-0 at Old Trafford, thanks to Scott McTominay's stoppage-time strike.

Now managed by experienced Lithuanian Valdas Dambrauskas, they usually play 4-3-3 and have some good attacking players.

Cameroonian winger Saidou Alioum is quick and scored an excellent individual goal against Vikingur, while Polish striker Marius Stepinski has six goals this season and has played in Serie A and Ligue 1, as well as earning four international caps.

At the back, Brazilian goalkeeper Fabiano made an incredible save against Vikingur and has been at Porto and Fenerbahce, while centre-back Senou Coulibaly is a threat from set-pieces, scoring in their opener to make it five for the season.

Scot and former Hearts head coach Ian Cathro has one game to save his job as Estoril manager. (Courier - subscription), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish gossip

Greg Playfair
Fan writer

If Neil Critchley is what supercomputer recommended in terms of a new head coach, then I cannot wait to see what the algorithm generates for new players following Saturday's 4-0 home win against St Mirren.

There's no doubt there was an underwhelming feeling within the Gorgie support when Critchley was appointed, but he was always going to be well backed from all at Tynecastle and, crikey, didn’t he repay the faith shown him with a thumping victory.

In the days leading up to Saturday's fixture, the more I heard Critchley talk, the more I was warming to him. He said he wanted a team to play with his fundamentals like working hard and being selfless for the team, and we witnessed that from the first whistle against the Buddies.

Lining up in a non-conventional 4-4-2, which allowed Blair Spittal and Yan Dhanda to drift centrally towards the action rather than be chalk-on-the boots-wingers, we looked a team well coached in what we were trying to achieve.

Our opener was a superb team move that will be up there with our best goals of the season. Lawrence Shankland was crucial with his ingenious touch to perfectly set up Kenneth Vargas, who appears to have packed a bottle of Costa Rican composure in his case to bring back to Scotland following the international break, to score with an excellent finish.

That goal calmed any nerves the new boss and support had, and although the scoreline probably flattered us, I cannot remember Craig Gordon having a save to make and there was no weak link in the team.

I'm delighted for Liam Fox being appointed permanent first-team coach, too. He’s had some unwarranted flak over the years due to his seemingly close relationship with Craig Levein, and his unsuccessful stints as manager at both Cowdenbeath and Dundee United, but there’s no doubting his abilities as a coach.

Regardless of what happens this week against Omonia Nicosia, we cannot be reactionary, and Critchley needs to exit the week with the same level of support as he had going into it.

Ordinarily, supporters would be telling Critchley to focus on the European game and go for a victory to give us a 100% win record after two Conference League games. Along with the prize money, it would give us a fantastic chance of progressing to the next round.

The reality is, supporters would want us to beat Hibs at Easter Road and put the dagger into their campaign and really cause alarm bells to sound louder.

I've chuckled as I read social media comments saying that although Hearts have had the worst ever start to a league campaign, Hibs are still below us in the table.

It's important to get through this week unbeaten - I'd ideally take a win and draw - and continue the positive atmosphere Critchley has brought back to the stands.

Greg Playfair can be found on the Oor Wee Chat podcast, external.

Omonia Nicosia head coach Valdas Dambrauskas has apologised to the club's fans following their 1-0 home defeat by Enosis left them in sixth place, seven points behind leaders Paphos in the Cypriot top flight, and in need of improvement against Hearts in the Conference League on Thursday. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Valdas Dambrauskas, who faces Hearts as Omonia Nicosia head coach on Thursday in the Conference League, once held discussions about a role at Tynecastle under then owner Vladimir Romanov. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Daniel Oyegoke has played for England at various youth levels and arrived at Hearts from Brentford. But that information is all fairly dull in contrast to the thing of beauty that was his goal against St Mirren – cutting inside onto his left foot to curl a wonderous strike past his former Brentford teammate Ellery Balcombe.

After a disappointing start to his Hearts career after his mercurial heroics last season for Motherwell, we finally saw the real Blair Spittal at Tynecastle on Saturday. The midfielder rounded off a superb day for new head coach Neil Critchley with the final goal in a scintillating 4-0 rout.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Rangers centre-half Filip Helander returned to the Omonia Nicosia starting line-up but could not prevent his new side suffering a second straight defeat before visiting Hearts in the Conference League on Thursday.

Head coach Valdas Dambrauskas was without Cyprus forward Andronikos Kakoullis against Enosis and made three other changes from the side that lost 2-0 away to Aris Limassol.

But Guinea striker Thierno Barry's 29th-minute goal was enough to lift the visitors into 11th place and leave Omonia sixth in the Cypriot top flight, seven points behind leaders Pafos.

The 31-year-old Helander has made six appearances, four of them starts, for Omonia since joining this summer from Odense, the Sweden international having spent a season in Denmark's top flight after leaving Ibrox.

Dambrauskas admitted it was a "terrible result".

"We let ourselves down and let the fans down," he said. "From the other side, I really can't blame anyone, only myself. I think the players gave absolutely everything. In my opinion, they played a dominant and good game at a good pace.

"We created chances, had set-pieces, we opened an opponent who did a very good job and had a plan to protect their goal. Unfortunately for us, they succeeded.2

Dambrauskas explained that the winning goal was a carbon copy of one scored by Enosis against Pafos and concluded that he had not got his message across to the players how to defend such a move.

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.

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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."

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• 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."

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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

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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.

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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

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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.