Hearts boss Neil Critchley insisted that Celtic’s 4-1 thumping of his side was not a true reflection of his team’s overall display…
Hearts boss Neil Critchley. Hearts v Celtic, 23 November 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
The Jambos slumped to their ninth defeat from 14 league matches this season as they hosted the Scottish champions in Gorgie on Saturday evening.
Hearts remain 11th in the table
As a result, Hearts remain 11th in the table only one point above their out of form Edinburgh rivals Hibernian in bottom position. The Hibees suffered a humiliating 4-1 loss at Dens Park against Dundee on Saturday afternoon putting club legend David Gray’s position as manager under real threat.
Despite an encouraging first half performance, Hearts passed up some huge opportunities through Blair Spittal and the misfiring Lawrence Shankland. Subsequently, the Jambos were punished in the second 45 as Celtic went up a few gears.
Hearts boss Neil Critchley. Hearts v Celtic, 23 November 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Celtic struck three times in 23 minutes
Celtic struck three times in 23 minutes displaying quick play and clinical finishing via the ever-reliable Kyogo and Nicolas Kuhn. From the bench, Adam Idah grabbed goals number three and four capping off a perfect second half performance for Brendan Rodgers’ domestically unbeaten side.
Attention turns to European Football
Both Celtic and Hearts now turn their attention to crucial European ties this week with the Hoops playing for a chance of qualification to the knockout play-offs in the Champions League versus Belgian champions Club Brugge. Three points would secure at least top 24 status in Europe’s elite club competition.
Brendan Rodgers shakes hands with Lawrence Shankland. Hearts v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Tynecastle. 23 November 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Meanwhile, Neil Critchley’s men head to Belgium’s capital to face Cercle Brugge in Europa Conference League matchday four on Thursday evening. Likewise for Hearts, a point would almost guarantee a spot in the top 24 of the newly branded UEFA competition.
Speaking to the media post-match on Saturday night, although suffering a heavy defeat, Neil Critchley remained upbeat about his sides performance.
“We were excellent first half. Good organisation, good structure, pressed well and created some really good moments,” he said.
Brendan Rodgers and Neil Critchley. Hearts v Celtic, 23 November 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
“You have to take your chances in these type of games, and we didn’t. You also need an element of luck and they had it for the first goal. 4-1 looks like a drubbing but I didn’t think it was a true reflection of the game.”
“We need to bounce back. We’re in a relatively decent position in Europe and we need to go and improve if we want to get something on Thursday night [against Cercle Brugge].”
“I saw lots of positives tonight; it’s important the players feel that.”
Conor Spence
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Neil Critchley is 100% correct. 4-1 seems and sounds like a “drubbing”.
Respectfully, that’s because it’s exactly what it turned out to be!
Sure, Hearts had a decent first half, created some chances, took none of them because Celtic absorbed everything, and went in at half time and regrouped!
Then, after Hearts had ran out of ideas, ran out of steam, Celtic stepped up from second to third gear, not even into top gear, anr proceeded to hand out as Neil said, the proverbial “drubbing” to his team!
Frankly, from the second that whistle blew to end the first half, you just knew that Hearts had lost their chance! You KNEW Rodgers was going to tweak a couple of things that Hearts would have no answer to! You KNEW that Kyogo was going to get in behind that labouring back line! You ABSOLUTELY KNEW that Kuhn would get in there and score, and when big Adam, Jamesie and Bernardo came off the bench, you just knew there was no answer from Hearts apart from mre consolation!
So yes Neil, you received a drubbing! A lesson in football!
But don’t feel bad about it! You aren’t the only Scottish manager to be given this lesson this season! In fact, you aren’t even the only HEARTS managet to be given this lesson this season!