Neil Critchley wants to carry momentum from Hearts win into Heidenheim clash

Hearts manager Neil Critchley says it was good to get back to winning ways following a 2-1 victory over St Johnstone ahead of the visit of German side Heidenheim to Tynecastle in the UEFA Conference League.

After a 1-1 draw in the Edinburgh derby away at Hibs and a 2-1 defeat at home to Kilmarnock, the Jam Tarts lifted themselves off the bottom of the William Hill Premiership table with the win at McDiarmid Park.

Nicky Clark headed into his own net following a Blair Spittal corner before the Saints striker redeemed himself from the spot after 68 minutes.

But Hearts resorted their lead nine minutes later as sub Kenneth Vargas stabbed past Josh Rae.

It was Hearts’ first domestic away win this season and former Blackpool and QPR boss Critchley wants to build on the victory in Perth for the visit of the Bundesliga outfit on Thursday.

“It was a big three points for us, particularly in the manner in which it was.” Critchley said.

“Thursday night, we’ve had a good start in that competition. Six (points) from six.

“Heidenheim, I’ve now watched them play a couple of times and they’re a good team. German team, efficient, quite pragmatic, good on the counter attack.

“They’ve got some good players obviously but Tynecastle at home on Thursday night, after winning here, should be a very special night.”

Critchley made three changes from the loss in midweek to Killie and admits the ever-evolving picture of modern day football with games coming thick and fast means it is nigh on impossible to stick with the same players consistently.

“Honestly, I don’t think it’s a game for just XI players now,” Critchley added.

“When you make two or three changes people always say he doesn’t know his best XI.

“I just don’t see it like that anymore. I don’t think football is like that, it’s a squad game now and everyone has to be ready to play.

“Most games, most teams, you look at the teams there’ll always be a couple of changes.

“I think you see a core group of players that have been consistently playing. If you look at our team, with some changes around it, I think that’s important.”

St Johnstone head coach Simo Valakari wants his side to be remembered for more than being pretty to watch after his first home match ended in defeat.

“We know how tight the margins are in this league,” Valakari said.

“I don’t want St Johnstone to be a team where people say: ‘They play nice football, they pass, they move, oh they lost’.

“No, no, no. We want to play winning football.”