Neil Critchley on the future of Hearts fielding three strikers from the start

Add as preferred source on Google

Hearts adopted an attacking style of football that put Rangers under severe pressure on Sunday afternoon.

But the Jambos – coupled with the inspired form of Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland – were wasteful and failed to take their opportunities.

Hearts lost 3-1 in the end as Rangers were gifted two Jamie McCart own goals to give them a rather undeserved three points at Tynecastle.

Neil Critchley’s men had the chance to move into the Premiership’s top six with victory but now sit ninth and are just three points off the relegation play-off zone.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
7	KilmarnockKilmarnock	26	8	7	11	31	41	-10	31
8	MotherwellMotherwell	26	9	4	13	30	45	-15	31
9	Heart Of MidlothianHeart Of Midlothian	26	8	6	12	35	36	-1	30
10	Ross CountyRoss County	26	7	8	11	27	47	-20	29
11	DundeeDundee	26	7	6	13	38	55	-17	27

Despite the defeat and dropping down the table, Critchley was satisfied with the attacking pressure Hearts put Rangers under.

That was in no small part down to fielding Lawrence Shankland, James Wilson and Elton Kabangu all from the start.

Shankland was deployed at the tip of a diamond midfield with 17-year-old Wilson and loanee striker Kabangu more advanced.

• READ MORE: Michael Steinwender on the moment that ‘surprised’ him during Hearts loss to Rangers

Critchley on playing three Hearts strikers vs Rangers

All three peppered Butland’s goal and while none could find the back of the net, Critchley thinks this set-up largely worked well.

It was clear more chances were created with three strikers as the Hearts manager told the Edinburgh News: “Yes, we felt that. We’re at home and we always want to go toe to toe with people and try and take the game to the opposition.

“We felt, by putting the three forwards on, that showed our intent. We were positive and we tried to take the game to Rangers.

Hearts attacking stats vs Rangers

“We know that’s going to be difficult against a good team with good players, but we felt it was the best chance of pressing them.

“It also gives us a good chance to counter-attack with numbers at the top end of the pitch. Other than the last little bit, I think it worked.”

Does Hearts diamond formation have sustained future?

Critchley has largely adopted a 4-2-3-1 formation which brings more width. He altered this on Sunday but he isn’t one for tinkering styles and formations on a regular basis.

So how often will Hearts fans see the 4-1-2-1-2 formation in the future? Critchley said: “I just think with the players we’ve got in the squad now, we’ve got a bit more flexibility all over the pitch.

“We felt it was the right thing to do for Sunday’s game. That doesn’t mean that will necessarily stay the same for our game next week.

“We looked at Rangers and we just felt that was the way to approach the game and I felt it worked. However, every game is different and we can adapt now with the players.

“We’ve got to change accordingly to try and give us an advantage in any game we play.”