Neil Critchley has vowed to get Lawrence Shankland back firing as he prepares for his dug out debut at what he says is the “biggest club” he’s ever managed.
The new Hearts boss insists the expectation levels at Tynecastle outweigh anything he’s encountered in his previous jobs with Blackpool and QPR. But it’s driving him to succeed and prove the doubters wrong with large sections of the Hearts support unconvinced by his appointment. Critchley spent his 46th birthday yesterday preparing for his first game in charge against St Mirren in Gorgie this afternoon.
And he knows getting last year’s SPFL player of the year Shankland back among the goals is crucial. The skipper – who has struck just one goal this season – is back fit after pulling out of the Scotland squad with a hamstring niggle. And Critchley said: “Lawrence is going to be very important. I’m obviously aware of his background and his career and we had a good conversation with him yesterday. His goal-scoring record in the last couple of seasons has been unbelievable.
“It’s not gone the way that him or the team would have wanted so far this season. It’s a two-way thing, it’s not just down to me but if I can help the team to help him and if I can help him in any way that I can then that’s what I’m here to do. I’m here to try and help all of the players to improve and get better.”
Critchley can’t wait to experience the Tynecastle atmosphere for real when the Buddies visit this afternoon. He’s been in the ground twice before – for a closed doors friendly with Liverpool U21s in 2017 and a pre-season match with Crewe over two decades ago.
But he knows he has to hit the ground running to drag the winless Jambos off the bottom of the table as soon as possible. He said: “This is the biggest football club I’ve been at as a manager, without a shadow of a doubt. You feel it. Genuine compassion towards me and people really wanting you to do well because it means the club does well.
“I’m not used to all you guys being here for starters and there was quite a few photographers out there on the pitch this morning, I thought they’d all come to celebrate my birthday!
“You look at the stadium, you look at the facilities, you look at the people, the attention, the media, there’s an expectation here. This is a big football club and it’s one that I want to work for and do desperately well for and I know I can do well at this football club with the right people behind me, the right support which I’m really confident that I’m going to get.
“I’m excited by the future but I am not taking my eye off the next game. I’m immensely looking forward to it. It will be a proud moment. It’s a fantastic stadium. It’s a brilliant stadium. Hopefully we give our supporters a performance and three points that their support deserves.”
Long-term assistant Mike Garrity will be by Critchley’s side this afternoon as will Liam Fox who stepped up from B team duties to lead the club as caretaker boss for three games following the sacking of Steven Naismith. Whether Fox remains as part of the first team management is a decision for further down the line.
Critchley said: “He has been this week and then that’s a discussion that we’ll have. It’s got to be right for all of us and him but I can only repeat he’s been fantastic for me this week and I think he’s enjoyed being with us. He’s been with us on the pitch every day so we’ll see where that gets to in the future.
“He’s got a great insight into the younger players at the club. He’s a good link between the B team and the academy and the first team. He’s been really supportive of me this week, couldn’t have helped any better and he’s a really good coach. If you look at his experience of what he’s learnt so far, he’s been a really genuine help to me and I’m very thankful to that.”