It’s not in Neil Critchley’s nature to be the centre of attention.
But while he’s in charge of the biggest club he’s EVER managed – the Hearts boss knows he doesn’t have a choice. And he wouldn’t have it any other way. Critchley arrived at Tynecastle after previous spells as gaffer at QPR and Blackpool down south. But he insists he’s never experienced a job with more intensity than in Gorgie. Critchley’s background is in coaching, rather than being the face of a club. But in Edinburgh, he knows that comes with the territory. And for as long as he’s in the Hearts hot-seat he’s ready to embrace it.
Because he knows if he gets it right, the rewards will be just as big as the responsibility. Critchley –whose side eased past Brechin in the Scottish Cup on Friday night – said: “This is the biggest club that I’ve ever been head coach of. The expectation here, the size of the club, the supporter base – it’s brilliant. It’s different from what I’ve been used to.
“Hearts are a big club in Scotland so it’s a bit more intense. Everything you do is magnified here. But it’s a great learning experience for me and a great challenge.
“People say Blackpool and QPR are big clubs but it’s just different here. Sometimes, it’s hard to put your finger on why.
“But just being in and around the city, I get recognised much more than I ever have before. The support I’ve had from everyone has been fantastic. The people are so encouraging and I’m not used to that.
“I’m quite private but I’m comfortable with it, it’s fine. I love what I do, I love this job. And I’m extremely passionate about it. I’m here to try and help Hearts to improve. And hopefully people appreciate what we do in the future.
“Knowing how big it could be if we get it right – that gives me that little edge of being doubly determined to be successful here. Because I feel that passion and the intensity of what it means to people.
“If we can move the club forward, I know we could be a real force in the future, not just in Scottish football. We want to be playing in Europe every season as well.”
In England, the Scottish top flight is often dismissed as a footballing backwater. But Critchley – largely through his former boss and friend Steven Gerrard’s experience at Rangers – knew differently.
And he’s adamant that as a coach, the Premiership poses a different type of test on a weekly basis. He said: “Every game has a different feel to it.
“There’s nuances in every one, in terms of how managers set up against us. It keeps me on my toes.
“The margins between winning and losing are fine so little details matter a lot up here. I need players who can play for Hearts and by that I mean they have the characteristics and personality to perform at Tynecastle.
“They also have to be able to go to places like Celtic, as well as having the fighting qualities away at other teams as well. I can only talk about Scottish football from my own perspective. In England when there was a Scottish game on a Sunday I’d watch it.
“I know people who worked here so I always kept my eye on it. It’s like anything in life, you want to experience something different and I’m enjoying it.”
The one thing Critchley is missing is his family, including his son Ted. He’s living with assistant coach Mike Garrity in Edinburgh and says – despite being far from home – they’re fully committed to the job.
He said: “Mike does the cooking at home as my skills in the kitchen are horrendous! My family’s down the road as my boy just started high school this year.
“We’re invested in this job. When I’m here, it’s just football all the time and I love being here.
“I have a very understanding missus and son. It’s the game we’re in, it’s a journey we’re on. And I think she’s happy I’m out the house!
“Of course, you miss the family and Ted loves football. He got his Hearts kit and tracksuit for Christmas, he was delighted with that.”