The ‘one worry’ about Hearts under Neil Critchley after Rangers showing

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Hearts have definitely looked better under Neil Critchley performance wise.

But all is not rosy yet as the Jambos still find themselves 11th in the Premiership table.

The Englishman has now taken charge of seven games at the Tynecastle club, winning three, losing three and drawing one.

Of those three defeats, one was against Bundesliga side Heidenheim and the other was yesterday’s narrow disappointment against Rangers at Ibrox.

Kilmarnock at home is the one real blot on his copybook so far and fans are enthused about the way the team have been playing.

• READ MORE: Neil Critchley shares what he doesn’t want Hearts side to be and bemoans big moment vs Rangers

Billy Dodds identifies worry about Hearts under Critchley

One of the plus points so far has been the evidence of an identity being built by Critchley.

He wants his Hearts side to have possession of the ball but also to attack quickly and exploit space as quickly as they can when the chance is on. And they look to press opponents high up the pitch when out of possession.

Supporters are happy with what they’re seeing and pundits Billy Dodds and Lee Miller see a clear identity in the team, too.

But Dodds did highlight one thing that would worry about them playing in that shape.

He told BBC Sportsound: “Possession-based football. That’s the way he wants to play, you can see that.

“4-4-2 at Ibrox, wanting to keep it. Having two targets.

“The one thing I can say about having that shape is they’re not creating a lot and they’re not taking a load of chances either.

“So that would be worrying with that shape they’re playing and with the possession based.

“But you can see signs that he’s getting his identity on that Hearts team.”

Hearts concede poor Rangers goal

For all the talk about a good performance at Ibrox, Hearts did concede a cheap early goal that ended up being the deciding factor.

Rangers were able to move the ball through the thirds quickly, via Nicolas Raskin and into Nedim Bajrami, who played the ball into the box under little pressure for James Tavernier.

It was all a bit easy and Dodds says it came from being in that 4-4-2 shape and looking to press high, leaving space for Gers to play into.

He added: “It all came from Hearts. 4-4-2 they went at Ibrox today, pretty brave, and they put a press on.

“That frees up Raskin as the extra midfielder in the Rangers midfield. The problem is the discipline from Hearts this early on.

“It’s a willingness from Rangers to get beyond but the four midfielders of Rangers are beyond the midfield four of Hearts. That’s a real problem.

“They didn’t get that discipline. They had two banks of four and they lose that early goal. Hearts were poor within the move.”