New Hearts head coach Neil Critchley says he is “super excited” to get going at Tynecastle as he aims to turn the club’s fortunes around.
The former QPR and Blackpool boss was officially unveiled as Steven Naismith’s successor on Tuesday and he has instantly turned his attention towards the game against St Mirren this weekend.
Hearts, who finished third last season, currently sit bottom of the Premiership and are still looking for their first win after two draws and six defeats from their opening eight league games.
That was a run of form that ultimately led to Naismith being sacked last month and Critchley is hoping to hit the ground running to turn that around and start climbing back up the table.
After meeting with the squad earlier on Tuesday he insists he has been encouraged by what he has at his disposal.
Speaking to the press on Tuesday he said: “I am super excited and very honoured to be in this position, I want to say thank you to Anne, Andrew and Graham for giving me this opportunity, it’s a huge responsibility at a fantastic football club and I am super excited to get started.
“It’s a challenge, but there are plenty of points to play for and plenty of games to play. We know where we are at and what we need to do in the immediate and that started this morning by getting ready for our game on Saturday.
“I concentrate on the things that I have responsibility for and what I can control.
“From seeing the squad this morning I am more encouraged than what I was beforehand, I’ve watched all the games, because I have had a bit of time on my hands recently, but it’s always good to see the players first hand.
“I’ve been getting to know them, speaking to them and seeing them train and there was a good energy and a good vibe about the group this morning.
“I am really looking forward to working with them in the short term and the long term as well.
“They had a fantastic season last season, finishing third and qualifying for Europe, and that’s credit to Steven and the staff.
“Obviously it’s not gone the way anyone would have wanted so far this season and that can happen sometimes, I’ve had experience of that myself, but what I’ve seen and what I’ve studied and analysed, from what I’ve seen this morning, even though it’s only one training session, I am encouraged by what we can still try and do this season.
“My immediate aim is to start winning games of football, we haven’t won a game in the league this season, so we are where we are and my focus is fully on St Mirren this Saturday.
“The rest will hopefully take care of itself in the future, but like I say, there are plenty of points to play for and hopefully over the next coming weeks and months we can gradually climb and see where we can get to.”
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