Ex-Hibs star admits he was ‘so happy’ Hearts won in Neil Critchley’s first game as boss

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Marvin Bartley has explained why despite ‘being a Hibs man’, he was delighted to see Neil Critchley win his first game in charge of Hearts.

The former Blackpool and QPR manager was appointed as Steven Naismith’s permanent replacement at the Jambos last week.

But Critchley’s arrival was viewed by many Hearts fans as underwhelming and uninspiring with the side sat bottom of the Premiership with no wins to their name.

However, he put those lingering doubts to bed in emphatic fashion against St Mirren at Tynecastle as he led his new side to a thumping 4-0 triumph.

• READ MORE: Referee and VAR appointments for Hibs vs Hearts and other Premiership clashes

Speaking on the latest Open Goal podcast, Bartley admitted he was pleased to see the Gorgie outfit deliver such a convincing result on Critchley’s debut.

And that’s because he was baffled by the reaction the Englishman received by Hearts supporters upon his appointment as boss.

Bartley staunchly defended Critchley and branded Hearts fans fickle. The former Hibee said: “That was bizarre the reaction that he (Critchley) got. I didn’t understand it at all.

“And I know people are saying that his second spell at Blackpool wasn’t that great and he didn’t last that long at QPR.

“But his first spell at Blackpool was brilliant. Gerrard took him to Aston Villa as an assistant, there’s a reason he did that. Obviously the stuff with England and Liverpool, he’s a good coach!

“He’s a good coach. Yes, it didn’t work out for him at Blackpool but that doesn’t mean he’s a bad coach. The reaction was poor.

“Listen, being a Hibs man, it hurts me to say this but I was so happy they (Hearts) won at the weekend and won well. Because all of a sudden, football is so fickle and now he’s brilliant. C’mon!”

What’s next for Hearts?

Critchley disposed of a St Mirren side who are renowned for their organisation and solidity defensively under the stewardship of Stephen Robinson.

As such, the 46-year-old has put down an impressive marker and Hearts fans will be optimistic about their upcoming Europa Conference League clash against Omonoia Nicosia.

It will be the Jambos’ first league phase match at Tynecastle this season and adding to their three-point tally secured last time out against Dinamo Minsk would represent an unbelievable start to their continental campaign.

Omonoia are no pushovers however. They sit second in the league phase after handing out a thrashing to Vikingur Reykjavik so Critchley’s side will be put to the test.

It’s then the small matter of an Edinburgh derby three days later and Critchley’s stock will only continue to rise amongst the Hearts fanbase if he can mastermind a defeat of Hibernian and keep them rooted to the bottom of the league.