Neil Critchley says Hearts duo ‘need time’ but both in contention to start vs Rangers

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Hearts made a number of new signings in the January transfer window as Neil Critchley reshaped his squad for the rest of the season and beyond.

The Jambos added six new recruits as they kicked off the month with the loan signing of Elton Kabangu and the permanent capture of Jamie McCart.

Harry Milne was the club’s final incoming on transfer deadline day with defender Michael Steinwender and midfielder Sander Kartum arriving beforehand.

Signed from IFK Varnamo, Steinwender is a commanding Austrian centre-back and at the age of 24, there’s potential for him to improve in a Hearts jersey.

Former Brann star Kartum is more of an attacking option for Critchley and the Norwegian is at the other end of his career at 29.

• READ MORE: Craig Gordon hails Hearts duo after St Mirren cup win with one ‘so laid back’ and the other a ‘nuisance’

Michael Steinwender & Sander Kartum in contention vs Rangers

Steinwender made his debut in Hearts’ 6-0 thrashing of Dundee in the Premiership before coming off the bench again on Monday to help his side into the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.

The Jambos saw off St Mirren 4-2 on penalties with Steinwender given 68 minutes of action as the tie went to extra-time after a 1-1 draw.

It was Kartum’s Hearts debut at the SMiSA Stadium and he got 57 minutes under his belt after coming on the pitch for Alan Forrest.

Both fit in seamlessly and it means Critchley has decisions to make as he prepares his Hearts side to face Rangers in Gorgie at the weekend.

Asked if Steinwender and Kartum’s substitute performances against St Mirren give him food for thought ahead of Rangers on Sunday, Critchley told Edinburgh Evening News: “Yes, they do. I thought Michael and Sander were excellent.

“It’s not easy. Sander has only trained for about two and a bit weeks. For Michael to come into a game like that, of that importance, and to play how he played, I thought he played with real assurance and maturity.

“I thought it was a top performance from him. Sander showed his composure and his quality when he got the ball. I think they’re going to make a big difference to us. They’re just going to need a bit of time to get up to speed.”

Hearts boss Neil Critchley wary of Rangers ‘reaction’

Hearts go into the weekend looking to extend their unbeaten run across all competitions to eight games.

The Jambos are in deadly goal-scoring form having netted 14 goals in the their last four matches, with Elton Kabangu, Lawrence Shankland and James Wilson all in form.

Critchley is fully aware of the confidence running through his squad at the moment as a result, but is wary of Sunday’s opponents.

Much to the delight of the rest of Scottish football, Rangers suffered an embarrassing humiliation against Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup as they lost 1-0 at Ibrox.

With that, Critchley expects a really difficult game as Rangers try to bounce back at a tough venue.

The Hearts manager said: “You obviously expect a reaction from them. They’ll be very disappointed with what happened on Sunday and they will want to be putting that right.

“We know we’re in for a really tough game. They’ve got quality players. Before the game on Sunday, they were on a really good run, a form, but we’re at home and we’re in good form. So it’s got to make it into a really good game.”