Hearts hero slams Andrew McKinlay boast over Neil Critchley and questions board

Add as preferred source on Google

The Hearts board have already had their fair share of criticism over the appointment of Neil Critchley and the process leading up to it.

The Tynecastle club made use of Jamestown Analytics and their data analytics algorithm to find their next manager after sacking Steven Naismith. Its owner, Tony Bloom, is close to a deal to invest in the club and allow them to use his analytics company in player and coach recruitment and opposition analysis.

It was a move that was embraced by fans and generally lauded by others around Scottish football. But now that hit has made it’s first decision, many are questioning it.

Hearts fans are divided on Critchley’s appointment and one of their former players had a go at CEO Andrew McKinlay over it.

Now, another has steamed in and his view isn’t all that positive either.

• READ MORE: Neil Critchley speaks on Hearts future of Liam Fox and backroom team plans

Ryan McGowan questions Hearts CEO Andrew McKinlay over Neil Critchley

Scottish Cup-winning former Hearts defender Ryan McGowan also has questions for McKinlay after his claim that Critchley was the number one choice and the only man they negotiated with.

That’s because it came after multiple reports about Per-Mathias Hogmo having been at Tynecastle with a deal agreed before pulling out at the last minute.

On top of that, he reckons the board are inviting pressure on themselves with a decision that has done the opposite of uniting the fans.

He told PLZ Soccer: “I just think the way they have gone about it has probably not been great. The CEO suggested they had not spoken to anyone else other than him when there was a lot of reports that there was a manager that flew in and flew back out.

“They seem to have gone down this route with the data and this was the name that came out to be the best one and it’s something that the Hearts fans are going to need to get on board with.

“I do feel it’s a lot of pressure on the Hearts board with the decision they’ve made. For his sake he’ll need to hit the ground running because they’ve got some tricky games coming up.

“The position they find themselves in the league is unacceptable and if they get a couple more bad results he’s not going to have any time to bed in. And the pressure will certianly be on him, but be on the board as well.”

Hearts fans must back Critchley

When all is said and done, fans simply need to get behind their new boss regardless of their thoughts on him.

After Hearts supporters embraced the involvement of Brighton owner Bloom and his analytics, they can’t then turn their nose up at the first appointment that has come about from it.

And to give him and their team the best chance of success, they will need the backing from the stands starting at home to St Mirren on Saturday.

Having seen the success the Seagulls have had in recruiting managers and bringing in players to sell on for multi-million pound profits, they should be giving this a chance.