Michael Stewart admits Hearts boss Neil Critchley’s decision-making has left the pundit scratching his head.
Critchley left both Blair Spittal and Malachi Boateng – two of Hearts‘ bright sparks amid a dour season so far – on the bench against Petrocub on Thursday night.
The massive Europa Conference League clash had huge ramifications for Hearts given that a win over the Moldovan minnows would have secured knockout football and extra financial rewards.
But the Jambos could only muster up a 2-2 draw at Tynecastle and a passionate Stewart thinks Critchley’s starting XI is partly to blame for the monumental failure.
Stewart baffled by Blair Spittal & Malachi Boateng calls
Stewart told The Scottish Football Social Club: “It was a disaster, the performance was murder, the result was brutal and the ramifications are huge.
“I don’t want to be too critical of Neil Critchley on this because there’s been a positive result at the weekend – but you’ve surely got to play your strongest team in that game on Thursday?
“I just don’t understand why Spittal or Boateng were not playing?! I just can’t get my head around that. Petrocub were not a good team and to have not beaten them which would have brought huge financial incentives and bonuses towards the club – I can’t get my head around it.”
Stewart ‘cannot fathom’ Critchley’s decision-making
Co-pundit Alan Hutton then asked Stewart if he thought Critchley was confident his starting XI against Petrocub was enough to win the game.
Stewart then answered: “He probably did, Hutts. But for me, with the situation Hearts are in, you can’t start thinking about the next game (against St Johnstone).
“As much as the league is desperate, we’re not even halfway through the league (season). There’s time to be able to get yourself out of that.
“If you win that European game, you get a huge financial windfall and it keeps the season ticking along, that carrot that continues to be there in the horizon for the club. I can’t fathom it.”