Hibs defender Marvin Ekpiteta will be on the opposite side of the fence of Neil Critchley on Sunday and he admits it will be a ‘weird’ feeling.
Hearts hired Critchley as their new manager to replace Steven Naismith with the Englishman out of work following his second spell at Blackpool.
Ekpiteta worked under Critchley at the Lancashire outfit during the gaffer’s first and second stints at the club, the first being a lot more successful than the latter.
Critchley signed Ekpiteta for Blackpool at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and it propelled his career as he soon went from the lower leagues of English football to Championship promotion.
And now just two days ahead of a crucial Edinburgh derby between Hibs and Hearts, Ekpiteta still doesn’t have a bad word to say about his new rival.
The 29-year-old praised Critchley for the impact he’s had on his career and admits it will be strange to see him in the opposite dugout at Easter Road.
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Marvin Ekpiteta on Hearts boss Critchley
But that won’t quell the urge to gain all three points for Hibs as they look to move away from the Jambos at the bottom of the Premiership.
Ekpiteta also provided an insight into Critchley’s style of play with the pair’s past working relationship surely an advantage for David Gray as he prepares his team in the lead up to the derby.
Ekpiteta told Sky Sports: “Yeah really good, I have nothing but positive stuff to say about him (Critchley). He knows how I feel about him.
“He gave me the opportunity to play in (English) League One and the Championship from the lower leagues. So he knows I’m grateful to him.
“It was different both times I had him (at Blackpool). The last time most recently, he went to be more possession based and getting the ball forward as quick as possible, so you’ll probably see something like that on Sunday.
“I got on well with him, really well. He helped me a lot on and off the pitch. So yeah, we have a good relationship.”
Asked if he’s been in contact with Critchley ahead of the crunch showdown in Leith, Ekpiteta revealed: “Nah I haven’t been talking to him!
“It is weird coming up against him having worked with him for three years but the main thing is just to get the three points and once we get that, we can talk after.”
Ekpiteta takes Hibs slack ‘personally’
Hibs have been accused of having a soft centre this season having shipped 14 goals in the league so far this season.
Individual mistakes have been a constant issue for Gray’s side as showcased against Dundee United last weekend.
Ekpiteta understands the frustration around this and says he takes the criticism personally because he is at the heart of the team’s defence.
He said: Yeah, when things don’t go your way, it just happens sometimes. We just need to get three points on the board because the mistakes we are making are costing us big time.
“If we can eradicate them, I’m sure we’ll start collecting more points. I take it (criticism) personally because I’m a centre-half and I’m one of the main reasons to keep the ball out of the net.
“I do take that personally and I have to do better myself.”