Hearts manager Neil Critchley was clearly hurting after watching his side lose to ten-man Kilmarnock.
The Jambos had their man advantage for around 84 minutes after Robbie Deas was sent off early in the game for a crunching tackle on Kenneth Vargas.
But it was Killie was reacted the best to that key moment and they took the lead just ten minutes later, James Penrice conceding a penalty for a clumsy tackle on Joe Wright and Bruce Anderson doing the business.
The visitors were poor in their response and hugged and puffed for the rest of the game as they tried to break down a stubborn Kilmarnock backline.
The equaliser never really looked like coming and Hearts boss Critchley admitted post-match that he had been left aghast at the level of performance from his team.
- READ MORE: Derek McInnes names what Kilmarnock did well and 3 Hearts players that could’ve hurt them
Critchley fumes in Hearts TV interview
The Englishman gave a similar interview to Hearts‘ in-house media post-match today, but this time seemed even more emotive and furious at his players.
He couldn’t quite comprehend what had unfolded in front of his eyes and was clearly struggling to put it into words.
What he didn’t struggle with though was getting to the point with how he felt about it.
Critchley said: “I’m shocked, to be honest. I can’t believe what’s just happened. That surprised me, that level of performance. I’ve not seen that in my time here.
“We were nowhere near good enough, from start to finish. We actually started the game quite brightly, it changes with the sending off.
“For the next 10 minutes we got too emotional, forgot to play football, made poor decisions with the ball and off the ball. One of them has given away a penalty, cost us the game.
“We’ve had ample time to get back into the game and our quality, decision-making, thought of what we were actually trying to do, was miles away.
“We forgot where the goal is, we played into their hands. We played in front of them all the time and I kept saying ‘you have to ask questions of the defence. Remember where the goal is, put the ball in and around the penalty area’, and we didn’t.
“When we did we lacked quality, desire and will to put the ball in the goal. Everything about the performance today was miles away.”
Asked if playing so poorly against ten men was the main frustration, he added: “Of course. When you’re playing against ten men for so long you expect to have control of the game, which we did.
“But then you have to do something with it, and we didn’t.
“It’s not like we didn’t have enough attacking players on the pitch.
“I could be here forever talking about our quality, decision-making, intelligence. And just the will, desire to put the ball in the box, put your head in where it hurts.
“I am stunned by what I’ve just seen and we have to quickly draw a line in the sand. That can never happen again.
“We have to take responsibility for that performance. The supporters who’ve travelled today, I feel sorry for them.
“Quite rightly they were booing at the end. I fully understand because my blood is boiling as well.”
Hearts fans praise Critchley interview
Hearts fans were underwhelmed by Critchley’s appointment but to their credit did get behind him when his tenure got underway.
There have been certain concerns, with Michael Stewart reckoning Critchley doesn’t have a big enough personality to be the Hearts boss.
He certainly showed personality after the match yesterday though and Jam Tarts fans loved to see the passion.
One said: “Once again a 10/10 after match interview and a 1/10 performance. He says all the right things but it just isn’t translating on the pitch. Every aspect looked inept today: tactics & players. If he can’t use this low point as a launchpad for him & team then there can’t be any hope.”
Another wrote: “Tell u what he’s got my full backing. I think the penny has dropped and he’s realised a vast majority shouldn’t be at this club. Hope he gets time til end of the season and hopefully sorts it out.
This fan said: “Take back my earlier comments about him not being inspiring. Definitely a different side to him shown a bit here. Not hiding how he feels and thankfully he’s livid like we are. Hope he tore them a new one.”
And another added: “If the players showed 50% of the attitude you see in this interview, we’d be fighting for Europe. The only thing I disagree with is that the players are hurting. They’re the ones causing this mess.”