Neil Critchley Reflects on Hearts’ 2-2 Draw Against Petrocub

Hearts’ head coach, Neil Critchley, expressed his sentiments to BBC Scotland, stating: “I’m just really down, because I knew the importance of this game for the football club. It’s hugely disappointing – a tough one to take.” Critchley continued, noting: “We had a good chance to score – Kye Rowles from a corner, and then 30 seconds later we don’t defend a counter-attack and we’re chasing the game.” He further explained: “At 2-1, the game’s in our control and then we lacked the nous and experience on the pitch to see us through.” Critchley remarked: “We should have won the game, and we didn’t. We have to accept the criticism that comes our way because of that. We didn’t do enough.” Addressing the team’s schedule, Critchley commented: “It’s been very hectic and that doesn’t change. We’ve got another important game coming up on Sunday. Internally we have a plan and I know, given time here, what we need to do to improve and how we need to do it.” He elaborated on the pressures of the sport: “This is a results business. Managers understand the consequences if you keep losing games of football. We haven’t lost tonight, it feels like a loss though. We have to go again in the league, keep trying to pick up points and if we do, that will give me the time to make the changes I think are required.” Critchley affirmed the team’s effort, stating: “The attitude wasn’t a question tonight. The work ethic was there, our intensity and aggression to play the game was there. Since I’ve come in, the players have given their all. We competed well tonight, we just didn’t produce the quality.” Concluding his remarks, he added: “It’s going to require us to roll our sleeves up and fight. You’ve got to have the composure and quality to play as well.”