Neil Critchley reckons Omonia were given a taste of Gorgie Rules as Hearts kept up their perfect start to life in the Conference League.
Goals from Alan Forrest – on his 100th appearance in maroon – and Blair Spittal secured a storming 2-0 win over the Cypriots in front of an electric Tynecastle crowd. But it was the intensity of Hearts display as they pressed and bullied Omonia for 90 minutes that impressed the new boss most on his Euro debut.
It’s now two wins from two for Critchley and the same stats for Hearts in Europe as they move into fourth in the Conference League table after two games. And Critchley said: “We had a great night, just loved it. Fantastic. The fans got right behind us. I think it’s our responsibility to make sure that we lift them and give them energy. I felt we did that early in the game and that was our plan.
“We know they like to build up and play and we thought, we’re at home, this is our pitch, this is our rules, you play our game and we’re coming after you and that’s what we did. It was a great evening. From start to finish, I thought we had a fantastic first half. Started with real intent.
“Our aggression without the ball was excellent. I thought we played some fantastic football as well, causing a lot of problems and deservedly won the game.
“Second half, without the ball, looked relatively comfortable for most of it. I would have liked to have seen us keep the ball again better. But again, clean sheet, two fantastic goals and a really good all-round team performance.”
Another point from their remaining four games against Heidenheim, Cercle Brugge, Copenhagen and FC Petrocub should be enough to at least secure a Europa Conference League play-off spot. But Hearts fans are now dreaming of automatic qualification for the last 16. Critchley said: “It puts us in a really strong position. Six from six, four games to go, couldn’t have asked for any more.”
From his Euro debut it’s now an Edinburgh derby first for the Englishman as Hearts head to Easter Road on Sunday for basement battle with Hibs buzzing from two huge wins at home. And he said: “Can’t wait.
“We know the importance of the game to the supporters. I’m really looking forward to my first Edinburgh derby, but the team are in a good place. You have to handle the atmosphere, but we also have to make sure we go and play our type of game and if we do that then we can give anyone a game.
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