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Heart of Midlothian fans are right to be angry at the failure to secure a top-six place, says Neil Critchley, but the head coach insists progress has been made since he joined the club in October.<\/b><\/p>\n
The Tynecastle side took just four points from five matches before the split, with last weekend’s goalless draw in Motherwell consigning them to the bottom half of the Scottish Premiership.<\/p>\n
“It’s always a collective,” Critchley said. “I’d rather fans point at me than the players. After any game where you don’t get the result that you want then there’s going to be disappointment, frustration.<\/p>\n
“That’s totally understandable. I’d never criticise the supporters for that because we all feel that. Myself, the players are included.<\/p>\n
“But I have to keep a sense of perspective on things. I have to be balanced and rational in my thinking and believe in what we’re doing. And I’ve seen signs of progress.<\/p>\n
“I’ve seen a team that’s honest and hard-working and is willing to fight on the pitch. And sometimes it’s just fine margins. That little bit of luck that can change the course of a game or your future.”<\/p>\n
With a Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen to come on Saturday, Critchley is stressing the need to “quickly move on”.<\/p>\n
Hearts are yet to beat the Dons in the league this season, two draws following a 3-2 defeat at Pittodrie in October.<\/p>\n
“You have to overcome disappointment,” Critchley said. “We have to keep looking forward.”<\/p>\n
Former Blackpool boss Critchley paid his first visit to Hampden a few weeks ago to familiarise himself with the national stadium, which will house more than 22,000 Hearts fans on Saturday.<\/p>\n
“It was obviously empty on the day, just to get a feel for it,” he explained. “It’s an iconic stadium.<\/p>\n
“You visualise what it might be like. I know we’ve got an incredible support going. Hopefully we can do them proud and give them a performance and a win that they deserve.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n