Heart of Midlothian: ‘Streetwise’ Neil Critchley will be relishing European football

Will “streetwise” Neil Critchley mark his first European game as a head coach by continuing to win over the doubters?

Having begun his tenure with a 4-0 Premiership thumping of St Mirren last weekend, Critchley leads Hearts at home to Omonia on Thursday as the Tynecastle men aim to make it two Conference League wins from two.

Critchley’s appointment was met with reservations from some of the Hearts fanbase, but the Englishman’s experience could be just what Hearts need to put their prior struggles behind them.

That’s according to Mark Atkinson, sports editor of The Scotsman. He told the BBC’s Scottish football podcast: “There was a negative feeling around his appointment but the only way you can change that is by winning football matches and playing good football.

“He seems quite a grounded individual. He’s different to what Hearts have had in the past.

“They want a coach who in the first instance can improve what is already there. He likes to press high, he likes attacking football.

“The negativity comes from his past two jobs. He’s been sacked by Blackpool and QPR, clubs that think Hearts fans will look at and go ‘they are no bigger than us’.

“He’s a little bit more streetwise and low-key and maybe Hearts fans expected more. But sometimes that’s sort of coach you need, especially when you’re bottom of the league and struggling for wins.

“He’s got experience and that should hopefully get him over the line in terms of negativity.”