Neil Critchley spoke to the BBC after Hearts lifted themselves off the bottom of the Premiership with a 2-0 win over Dundee.
Lawrence Shankland finally scored his first goals for Hearts since September as the Jambos secured a comfortable three points at Tynecastle.
On the result and performance itself, Critchley wasn’t too over enthused and said that while his team were in control throughout, another goal or two would have made it a more comfortable watch in the second-half.
Critchley on Hearts 2-0 Dundee
He told Sportsound: “It gives us a lift but the players, what they’ll learn about me is that I’m about performance.
“So if we play well and I can see there’s intensity and aggression, but we lose, then I won’t go for the players.
“Likewise if we win and I can see that we can do better and improve, then they might see a different side of me. And even though we’ve won, second-half we could’ve played better and should’ve played better.
“We were comfortable but it only takes one of those moments in the second-half where Dundee get a corner or free-kick and they score and it becomes game on, which really we were in control of that game.
“And if we were better with the ball in that second-half, we might have then scored a few more goals and made it easier for ourselves.
Critchley ‘made up’ for Shankland
Asked if he felt the huge sense of relief around Tynecastle when Shankland scored his first, Critchley replied: “Yeah definitely, of course, just because of the situation not scoring for so long.
“You could see what it meant for everyone in the stadium, the supporters, the players, myself. I was made up for Shanks because I see what his contribution is every day.
“I know he lives for goals but he’s been a brilliant leader, he’s brought so much to the team. But goal-scorers, they want to hit the back of the net.
“He nearly got his hat-trick at the end which would have been fantastic but I’m delighted for him.”
Copenhagen up next for Hearts
Hearts now can start preparations for a big away day in the Europa Conference League against FC Copenhagen on Thursday evening.
The Jambos can secure knockout play-off round qualification with a win, but a draw still wouldn’t be the worst result.
Critchley said: “Well I know from watching them how good they are. They were in the Champions League last year and competing in the last 16 against Manchester City.
“So we know the team we’re facing. I think it’s our toughest game that we’ll face so far, particularly away from home and we know we’re going to have to be at our best.
“But it’s a fantastic stadium and that’s why we are in Europe, to pit ourselves against good opposition so it’s a great game for us to look forward to.”