Neil Critchley ready to embrace expectations as he looks to lead Hearts revival

New Hearts boss Neil Critchley insists he is ready to face the demands of the Tynecastle crowd as he adjusts to his biggest job yet in management.

Critchley has stepped in to replace Stephen Naismith with Hearts bottom of the Scottish Premiership ahead of Saturday’s match against St Mirren.

The former QPR and Blackpool manager said his first few days in the job had been enough to convince him this was the biggest club he had managed yet given the attention around the Edinburgh side, but he added he was confident with the expectations he will face.

“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,” said Critchley, who turned 45 on Friday.

“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.

Naismith was shown the door after Hearts took only two points from their first eight games of the season. They are the only side yet to win a game in the top flight.

But, despite their desperate situation, former Liverpool under-21s boss Critchley said he was been encouraged by what he had seen from his players.

“What I’ve seen has encouraged me from the players, both in terms of their ability, but also in terms of their attitude and mentality,” he said. “I haven’t walked in and seen a team low in morale.

“That might just be through natural changes, sometimes it happens, but players whenever there’s change have to be open-minded.

“People can be resistant to change, but the players seem to have responded in a positive fashion and we hope to see that on the pitch.

“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.

“This is the biggest football club I’ve been at without a shadow of a doubt when managing. 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.”