Neil Critchley insists Hearts’ confidence couldn’t be higher ahead of Sunday’s derby at Easter Road after they defeated Omonia Nicosia 2-0 in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday night.
The Englishman continued the impressive start to his tenure at Tynecastle as goals from Alan Forrest and Blair Spittal made it two wins out of two in the league phase of the tournament.
It was also a second straight victory for Critchley after last Saturday’s 4-0 Premiership success against St Mirren and he is now eagerly anticipating his first showdown with city rivals Hibs.
‘I’m really excited, I can’t wait,’ said the Hearts boss. ‘We know the importance of the game to the supporters. I’m really looking forward to my first Edinburgh derby, but the team is 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.
Spittal, right, celebrates with fellow goalscorer Forrest after putting Hearts 2-0 up
Neil Critchley is looking forward to Edinburgh derby after Euro victory
Alan Forrest scores the first Hearts goal against Omonia Nicosia
‘Tonight’s win helps confidence, doesn’t it? When you do things on the training pitch and then the players feel that on the pitch and they get the rewards for it, obviously it helps in their belief in what we’re doing.
‘I have to learn to trust them and they have to learn to trust me and that takes a bit of time, but obviously winning and playing well certainly helps.’
Critchley was understandably gratified by a commanding display from his team as they followed up their 2-1 win against Dinamo Minsk on matchday one and boosted their hopes of reaching the knockout stage.
Bundesliga side Heidenheim are next up at Tynecastle in a fortnight, although Critchley admitted he is struggling to keep tabs on his hectic initial schedule.
‘It puts us in a really strong position with six points from six and four games to go,’ he said. ‘I’m not even sure when our next European game is because we’ve got loads of games coming up!
Blair Spittal is ecstatic after scoring the goal that sealed victory for Hearts
Critchley thanks Spittal for his contribution on a comfortable night for the Gorgie men
‘But It was a fantastic night from start to finish. We played some fantastic football, causing Omonia a lot of problems and deservedly won the game.
‘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 knew 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.
‘We scored two fantastic goals and kept another clean sheet. I’d have liked to have seen us keep the ball a bit better in the second half but it was a really good all-round team performance.’