Heart of Midlothian

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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When Neil Critchley was appointed in October, many Hearts fans had never heard of the former Liverpool youth coach.

Sure, he had managed Queens Park Rangers and Blackpool (on two separate occasions) but remained pretty much an unknown quantity.

Chief executive officer Andrew McKinlay refuted suggestions Critchley was the club's second choice because talks had broken down with former Norway boss Per-Mathias Hogmo.

And two wins in his first opening games appeared to show the Hearts board - or data partner Jamestown Analytics, who were heavily involved in the decision - had identified the right man.

However, just three victories against the Premiership's bottom two teams in the next 14 matches followed.

Included in this run was a wretched performance against Moldovan minnows Petrocub at Tynecastle when a victory would have ensured European football would continue after Christmas.

Other big-game setbacks came against Celtic, Rangers and local rivals Hibernian, who resurrected their season after a similar dismal start to their campaign.

Critchley wasn't helped by long-term injuries to key players, such as Frankie Kent, Stephen Kingsley and Craig Halkett. And when you add in the dip in form of striker Lawrence Shankland, the football gods were never really in his favour.

However, he will accept that football is a results industry and those results were simply not there for him.

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Former Hearts midfielder Michael Stewart thinks the club have "panicked" by sacking Neil Critchley after just six months as head coach.

The Tynecastle lost their first bottom-six game to Dundee after falling to Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final and although Stewart is "not surprised" by the decision to sack Critchley, who he said "was never a Hearts manager" he believes it leaves many questions needing asked of a club who "are trying to be too smart".

"The club have panicked," the pundit said on Sportscene. "They are clearly concerned about being dragged into the relegation play-off spot.

"I'm not surprised. I've got a great deal of sympathy for Neil Critchley. He's a nice guy and clearly knows a lot about football, but he was never a Hearts manager.

"That's a bigger issue for me - who's making these appointments? Critchley was the seventh appointment since Ann Budge took the club out of administration and the track record has not been great.

"With this one, the board basically absolved themselves of any responsibility for it and handed the decision over the Jamestown Analytics. When Neil Critchley's name was mooted, I don't think a single person associated with Hearts thought 'oh, that's a good appointment'. You cannot just take a step back and give full responsibility to someone else.

"Jamestown Analytics was heralded as the tool that could have Hearts challenge for the title but they've not been able to get a manager who could last a season and that undermines it. Look at some of the signings they've made, yes they made some good signings in January, but they spend £400,000 on Sander Kartum, who's not the kind of player they needed. And because of additions like that, Critchley has ended up losing his job.

"I don't think it's rocket science. Far too often, it feels like they are trying to be too smart and do things differently rather than just doing football things properly. Hearts are arguably the third biggest club in the country and should be there challenging every season. But they're bottom six and not maximising what they've got."

Hearts fans, we want to hear from you in the aftermath of Neil Critchley’s sacking after just six months.

Let us know how you’re feeling about things here.

Dundee boost their Scottish Premiership survival hopes with a slender but deserved victory as Hearts are jeered from the pitch by a furious home support.

Simon Murray's goal, his 21st of the season, pushes Dundee up to 10th in the division and two points clear of Ross County, who lost at Kilmarnock.

Neil Critchley's side are now goalless in their past four league games and slip to eighth in the league, just five points above County.

What did you make of that, Hearts fans? How do you feel about Neil Critchley's tenure?

Did anyone impress? Where was the game lost?

Let us know your thoughts here.

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Hearts head coach Neil Critchley told BBC Scotland: "It's been a tough day, obviously. We didn't do enough. We had total control of the game. The longer it went on... we played too safe, lacked belief in what we were doing, lacked quality.

"We had some chances to score, but don't score the first goal. They then put everyone behind the ball and that makes it doubly difficult for us. That's been the story of the last few weeks, little things not going for us. That's on us, we need to change that very quickly.

"That's football for you. We must respond to this. We're in a fight and we have to show the right level of fight. I don't think it was lack of effort today. From the halfway line, we lacked quality in our decision making.

"We have to stick together, we've got four games to go. It's important the players show the fight and commitment that will get us out of this situation. We need to show more quality and intelligence.

"I understand the frustration when we don't score at home and get beat. I'm comfortable with [the expectation]. I believe that I'm the man to get us out of this situation and move the club forward in the future.

"Emotions are running high, I just have to focus on the here and now, the players, and making sure we're ready for Ross County next week."

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

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If any Hearts fans had forgotten the relegation fears of earlier in the season, they were rudely reminded this afternoon.

While their side dominated possession, it was always Dundee who wanted it more.

Some would argue that was surprising, given the fight that Hearts showed at Hampden just seven days ago. That same courage was not apparent today.

The only creativity came from left-back James Penrice - who was too often forced to stay back, given the lack of protection in front of him.

Kabangu's form, similar to teammate Lawrence Shankland who was missing through injury, has nosedived and the striker should have had a far bigger impact on the scoreline.

The lack of wide options, or quality in wide areas, has been badly exposed and Critchley seemingly does not have the answers.

Blair Spittal and Sander Kartum, deployed wide of Jorge Grant today, are both more suited to central roles. The only proper wide option on the bench, Alan Forrest, isn't fancied.

Critchley inherited an imbalanced squad. Instead of addressing that in January, he tipped the scales further.

Hearts head coach Neil Critchley wants answers regarding soon to be out of contract players Craig Gordon and Lawrence Shankland by the end of the season. (Record), external

Stephen Kingsley admits Hearts have not been good enough this season. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

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Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland is a doubt after going off with muscle tightness in the Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Aberdeen.

Michael Steinwender and Cammy Devlin are both available despite being sent off in that match as their suspensions are competition-specific, but James Wilson is still suspended. Gerald Taylor (knee) and Aidan Denholm (hamstring) remain out.

Dundee have doubts over Ziyad Larkeche, Lyall Cameron, Charlie Reilly, Jordan McGhee and Oluwaseun Adewumi, but hope most if not all of the players will make the game.

Scott Fraser is pushing for a comeback after groin trouble.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Hearts head coach Neil Critchley says his side need to show "resilience" in the last five games of the Premiership season to prove they have it in them to be a success at the club.

Last weekend's Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Aberdeen compounded a disappointing league season that has resulted in a bottom-half finish.

Critchley says the team have to finish on a high of sorts, starting against Dundee on Saturday, in order to replay the club's supporters who have stuck by the squad this season.

"It's on us to show the right level of commitment, the right level of fight, to make sure that we apply ourselves properly, like we did last week in the semi-final," Critchley said.

"That level of commitment needs to be there now between now and the end of the season because disappointment is part and parcel of football. Unless you're very fortunate, there'll be plenty more downs than there are ups.

"Resilience is a key characteristic of any player or head coach and you have to overcome disappointment. That process has started this week. It'll continue tomorrow and we have five games and 15 points to play for."

Dundee occupy the relegation play-off spot and are six points behind seventh-place Hearts. Critchley says there is no fear at Tynecastle over a potential relegation battle.

"We're just thinking about winning the next game," he said. "We know that everyone's going to be fighting for their lives.

"Dundee will be no different. We need to make sure that we're there, ready to play the game that we can play. The results or the outcomes of some of the games recently we don't believe have gone our way.

"You have to accept that. We want that winning feeling back."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Neil Critchley has been speaking to the media before Hearts face Dundee in the Premiership this weekend.

Here are the key points from the Tynecastle boss:

• On a "tough few days" after the Scottish Cup semi-final defeat: "I think you need time to process that type of game and how it ended. But then you have to gradually move forward and turn the disappointment into motivation. And that motivation has to become your energy, which I've seen within the group."

• Critchley says Hearts need to show "resilience" in their final five games of this season to prove this group can be successful in the future.

• The Englishman fully supports the club statement regarding an "accumulation" of decisions the club perceive to have gone against them in recent matches. He confirms there has been dialogue between the club and the Scottish FA.

• Despite that, he insists there is no "blame culture" at the club and says they alone are responsible for failures in both the league and Scottish Cup.

• After missing out on European football, Critchley says is no change to the plans as they try to "keep improving the squad and the club".

• There has been no talk of being dragged into a relegation battle with the next game against Dundee being the full focus.

• Lawrence Shankland has trained but will be assessed before the game after struggling with tightness in his hamstring.

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• Hearts have won their past three Scottish Premiership home games against Dundee, last winning more in a row on home soil against them in the top fight from September 1999 to November 2001 (six).

• Dundee have lost five of their past six league meetings with Hearts, winning the other 3-1 in August this season.

• Hearts have failed to score in their past three league games despite attempting 34 shots (11 on target) worth 3.35 expected goals. Hearts last went four without scoring in the Scottish Premiership in November 2018.

• Only Kilmarnock have kept fewer clean sheets (0) and conceded more goals (41) away from home in the Scottish Premiership this season than Dundee (one clean sheet, 35 goals conceded), who have shipped 2+ goals in each of their last five on the road (17 in total).

• Dundee's games in the Scottish Premiership this season have seen more goals (121 – 50 for, 71 against) than any other side, while only Dundee United's (81) have had fewer than Hearts' (87 – 43 for, 44 against).

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After being consigned to the Premiership's bottom six before suffering Scottish Cup semi-final heartbreak on Saturday, would it be controversial to say Hearts are still "moving in the right direction"?

Perhaps, but The Herald football writer Stephen McGowan feels there is no need for the Tynecastle club to overreact amid a disappointing campaign.

A growing number of fans have started to doubt head coach Neil Critchley, who has faced intense criticism for failing to achieve a statement result in big games since his appointment earlier this campaign.

McGowan feels that narrative could cause the Hearts boss a problem if he is unable to put an end to it, but he believes the Englishman deserves more time to improve the team with the help of Jamestown Analytics' player recruitment model.

"If you look at the record against Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen and Hibs, it's problematic for any Hearts manager because you have to win those big games," McGowan told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I think what you would say is when he came in, Hearts were bottom and they have absolutely improved things since then.

"His point that if he'd been in from the start of season then they wouldn't be in anything like this situation is probably fair.

"It's massively disappointing to miss out on the cup final, but I don't think there should be an overreaction to missing out on the top six.

"I think Hearts are still moving in the right direction and Jamestown Analytics have to be given time and opportunity to prove the standard of player they are signing.

"The question is whether Critchley is the man to deliver the sustained improvement they're looking for. Personally, I wouldn't overreact."

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Former Hearts defender Dave Clunie has died at the age of 77.

Edinburgh-born Clunie made 354 appearances for the club between 1964 and 1977.

After leaving Tynecastle he spent a season with St Johnstone before retiring in summer 1978.

Greg Playfair
Fan writer

As Hector Nicol's song goes, 'There is no other team to compare with the Hearts' and it probably sums up our season perfectly.

Only Hearts could go from pre-season optimism about domestic and European football to spending 30 out of 33 weeks in the bottom half of the table, stumbling against the worst side in the Conference League and an early League Cup exit to Championship Falkirk.

The Scottish Cup provided our last opportunity to salvage any positivity from this season, but instead there's been glorious failure being celebrated at being knocked out at the semi-final stage to Aberdeen. Good thing that's not a lyric in Nicol's song.

Of course, we had to play almost 80 minutes with a man fewer and for four minutes we were down to nine but that late Aberdeen winner could have been scripted before a ball was kicked.

Michael Steinwender's sending off before half-time is unfortunately a clear red card. The second booking for Cammy Devlin was ludicrous but I'm not keen to say that is solely the reason why we lost.

Should Neil Critchley have subbed the already cautioned Devlin, instead of Beni Baningime, for Blair Spittal given the Australia midfielder had already made a number of fouls before his second booking?

There's been much said among Hearts supporters about where this defeat leaves Critchley. It cannot be ignored he has done well against 'lesser lights' in the league, including the 6-0 victory at Dundee as well as good wins at Tannadice and in his first European game versus Omonia Nicosia.

The much-vaunted league table since Neil Critchley's arrival would have us fourth behind the Old Firm and Hibs, which is great on paper and would make it seem mad we're even talking about his future.

The case for the prosecution is we will go a league season failing to chalk up even one win against Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen or Hibs.

For some supporters, back-to-back defeats against Hibs is bad enough. Add in the Petrocub performance in Europe and the fact we haven't won in four games now - with a 'must not lose' game looming against Dundee at Tynecastle on Saturday - and the pressure is really on the head coach.

I really want Critchley to be a success, but from the body of evidence we've seen, I'm not convinced he can turn round the perception from a lot of Jambos that he's just not cut out for the role.

My fear is we're kicking the can down the road with Critchley and we've seen this movie before with Hearts managers when they start to lose the backing of the fans. Very rarely – if ever – in modern times do they recover.

Hearts defender Adam Forrester, the 20-year-old who signed a new contract until 2028 last week, says he would prefer to stay at Tynecastle and fight for a starting place rather than head out on loan next season. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Everton are close to agreeing the summer transfer of Hearts defender John Dodds, the 16-year-old having been watched by a number of clubs in Scotland and England. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

How many times have you heard a relegation-threatened manager talk about the need to hit the coveted 40-point mark?

Well, the truth is, no Scottish Premiership team has ever required that total to avoid the bottom two since the play-offs were brought back more than a decade ago.

However, that is projected to change this season.

Based on current points-per-game averages, 11th-placed Dundee are set to end on a total of 39, meaning 40 could be the magic number to guarantee safety.

If that is the case, that would mark the highest tally required to ensure survival in Scotland's top tier since 38-game seasons were reintroduced in the 2000-01 campaign.

That would also mean Hearts are effectively safe, given they are already on 40 points and four teams would need to make up ground on them, while eighth-placed Motherwell would need just a single point from five post-split games.

With Kilmarnock in ninth and Ross County in tenth both currently on 35, which is just one more than Dundee's 34, the fight to avoid 11th is clearly likelier to be between those three.

But that is not set in stone. The nature of the split means each team in the bottom half will face the other before the end of the campaign, so there is scope for points-per-game averages to fluctuate.

And what does all of this mean for St Johnstone? Well, the 33 points Simo Valakari's side are projected to finish on would be the highest for a bottom-placed team in the Premiership since 2017.

That would be no consolation for the Perth club if they go down, but that is certainly not guaranteed to happen just yet.

However, they have a real fight on their hands to make up a five-point gap while improving their inferior goal difference.

Craig Gordon says there has been no progress made about his own future with Hearts and the 42-year-old Scotland goalkeeper is just going to "see what happens" when his current contract ends in the summer. (The Scotsman), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Goalkeeper Craig Gordon says his Hearts side are "angry and disappointed" as they had two men sent off in their 2-1 defeat against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden.

The Tynecastle club were reduced to 10 men in the first half when Michael Steinwender was shown a straight red card for hauling down Topi Keskinen.

Hearts managed to hold on until extra-time where Cammy Devlin was shown a second yellow card and Hearts had to play the remainder of the additional period with nine men.

"We're pretty angry and disappointed," the 42-year-old said.

"I thought we were doing well, we were going to take it to penalties and take our chances there.

"I felt that the boys in front of me were doing a great job. Anything that came through I managed to save. It looked like we were going to take it to penalties and give ourselves a chance.

"Unfortunately, the big moment comes from a second yellow card for Cammy to put us down to nine and we have to hang on from there.

"The second goal comes exactly from the position that Cammy had been defending on that left-hand side of midfield, dropping in front of the back five and the play straight through from where he would have been.

"I'm really disappointed that was a second yellow card and disappointed not to get the chance to take the penalties. I feel a little bit let down by that, but that's the situation, we can't change it.

"The referee's made his decision and everybody feels a bit let down by that one, but he's got that split second to make that decision. He felt that was a yellow card, we obviously didn't."