Neil Critchley rode the early storm at Hearts and is now taking the acclaim for their recent form.
The Jambos are unbeaten this calendar year and are actually third in the form table since Critchley’s appointment in October. That’s despite some of the horror results that earned the new boss flak.
But he had inherited club that was in a malaise and had an unbalanced squad and has slowly and surely made things better, culminating in a special 6-0 thumping of Dundee at the weekend.
Critchley tried to stay grounded but couldn’t hide his delight as he also talked up Lawrence Shankland, who he feels is back to looking like the ‘real deal’.
Pundit Michael Stewart was previously a Critchley doubter and even suggested he should be sacked just months into his tenure.
But he now has praise for the boss and detailed one of his decisions that has served to highlight a mistake from predecessor Steven Naismith.
Now, another former Jambo has backtracked on comments about the manager.
Ryan Stevenson backtracks on Hearts boss Critchley
Ryan Stevenson previously had concerns about the ex-QPR and Blackpool boss but is thrilled with the way things have turned out.
He reckons Hearts are now challengers for third spot and the Scottish Cup, and if successful that could see Critchley crowned manager of the year.
Speaking in the Daily Record, Stevenson said: “Hands up, I’ve been critical of a lot of things this season and, yes, I was sceptical about Critchley’s appointment and the use of Jamestown Analytics to source new recruits. But, from his first interview, I liked what I was hearing. I enjoyed the way he came across because he calls it as it is.
“I always felt January was going to be a massive month for the club because the window was going to be so important. But he got his business done early and that helped to settle everybody down, myself included.
“You could see that they were on the ball in everything they were doing. There were obviously a few comings and goings on deadline day and everything now seems perfectly set up for the rest of the campaign.
“That’s why third place should now be the focus. I guarantee the players will already be talking about it. If they can get there by the end of the season then everyone will forget all about the problems at the start and the fact that Hearts were at one point sitting at the bottom of the table, in serious danger of dropping out of the league.
“For Critchley, what an achievement that would be. He’d have to come into contention for the manager of the year awards and that would put a tin lid on this turnaround.
“Let’s not forget they are still in the Scottish Cup and you never know what might happen there. But, for now, it just feels massively positive and the momentum seems to be building at the right time.”
Elton Kabangu vindicates Hearts’ Jamestown use
Stevenson was also a data sceptic after Hearts struck a deal with Jamestown Analytics to help them with player recruitment and also opposition analysis.
The Jambos have signed five players in January using the analytics and Jamie McCart and Elton Kabangu have already had a positive effect on the team, the latter scoring five goals in three starts.
Kabangu alone has made Stevenson eat his words again.
He added: “If Jamestown is responsible for the signing of Elton Kabangu then I’m going to have to eat my words on that too because the early signs are that they’ve landed an absolute cracker.
“He’s basically scored in every game he’s played and you’re always worried that the bubble might burst at some stage. But there’s no sign of that so far.
“More importantly, I see a difference in some of the players who have been there for a wee while. It looks as if it’s all starting to fall back into place for them.
“Lawrence Shankland was back to being Lawrence Shankland on Saturday. His opening goal was a trademark finish and his pass for the fourth was out of this world.
“Hopefully that’s him back to the levels we have come to expect from him. If he recaptures his best form between now and the end of the season then Hearts will be flying again – and somebody should be battering down his door with an improved contract to get his future sorted out.
“Like I say, all of a sudden there’s so much for the club to feel excited and optimistic about.”