Neil Critchely enjoyed a dream debut as Hearts manager as they recorded their first victory of the Scottish Premiership season with an emphatic 4-0 win over St Mirren.
Critchley’s appointment this week was met with a mixed reaction from Hearts supporters but they were buoyant upon leaving Tynecastle after an outstanding performance that yielded three brilliant goals and a special moment for young James Wilson.
Kenneth Vargas broke the deadlock after 15 minutes following a slick team move with Daniel Oyegoke’s unbelievable strike, academy graduate Wilson’s first professional goal and Blair Spittal’s late strike securing a much-needed and thoroughly deserved win.
Hearts also moved above Hibs at the bottom of the table. St Mirren were poor throughout and barely threatened Scotland number one Craig Gordon as their losing run extended to three games.
Critchley dismissed suggestions that he would adopt a conservative tactical approach as “nonsense” pre-match and that was evident in his attacking 4-4-2 formation with captain Lawrence Shankland partnered by Vargas up front.
Hearts started with an intensity that has been badly lacking this season and they were clearly determined to start the new era positively. The hosts completely dominated possession and territory during the opening stages without creating a clear-cut chance until they were rewarded for their impressive start when Vargas opened the scoring after 15 minutes.
It was an excellent goal that validated Critchley’s decision to partner Vargas and Shankland up front. After Vargas’s backheel found Shankland, the Hearts captain produced an exquisite spinning pass with the outside of his boot back to his strike partner and the Costa Rica international calmly slotted beyond Ellery Balcombe to the delight of the Gorgie faithful.
Confidence has been low amongst the Hearts squad during their winless start to the season but it began to flow after the opener with Shankland dragging a shot just wide after 23 minutes.
The tempo died down after Hearts encouraging start but they looked comfortable with St Mirren completely lacklustre and offering no attacking threat throughout the first half. And it was the visitors who came close to doubling their advantage when Kye Rowles fired into the side netting after Shankland flicked on Yan Dhanda’s free-kick.
St Mirren needed a response in the second half but it was Hearts that raced out of the traps as they scored a stunning second just one minute after the interval. Oyegoke collected the ball on the right and cut inside onto his weaker left foot before unleashing a thunderous effort into the top corner off the post for his first goal for Hearts.
Critchley was not afraid to replace captain and talisman Shankland as he shored up his midfield to see the game out. And it became the perfect afternoon when highly-regarded 17-year-old Wilson bundled home after a goalmouth scramble in the final five minutes and Hearts fans were sent into dreamland when Spittal curled a left-footed effort into the bottom corner in added time.
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