Heart of Midlothian

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Neil Critchley believes European football next season is still achievable for Hearts, although he admits their 1-0 defeat by Dundee United on Sunday makes it more difficult.

The Tynecastle side are eight points behind United in fifth after that loss with six matches of the season remaining.

They could reach Europe via a top-five finish in the league, or with a Scottish Cup triumph - they face Aberdeen in the semi-finals later this month.

Hearts must beat Motherwell this weekend to guarantee their spot in the top six before the league splits and Critchley says that must be the priority.

"I wouldn't say it's beyond us yet," Critchley said, when asked about Hearts' European prospects.

"It's obviously harder, but if we can get into the top six then we've got to play those teams [Dundee United, Aberdeen and Hibernian], and then we can take points off them," said Critchley.

"It's not beyond us, but we've got to get there first, so our first priority is to go to Motherwell and win next week.

"The positive thing is it's in our favour [to make top six]. We're not relying on other results. We know if we go there and win, then it's job done. It's still in our hands and we have to use that as a positive.

"If we play like we did against Dundee United, with a little bit of better quality, then that will give us a good chance."

Hearts fans, we asked for your views on the 1-0 defeat to Dundee United at the weekend.

Here's what some of you said:

David: Yet again when it really matters we can't get a result. Lack of concentration for the goal. The next two games are crucial for Neil Critchley, our form doesn't deserve top six as it stands.

Steven: Eat, sleep, repeat. You know what's going to happen with Hearts every time they play - create chances, play some neat stuff, don't score, concede, get beat. The style of play doesn't work in the Premiership. Everyone in the stands can see it so why can't Critchley?

Gary: The doom and gloom merchants are out in force. We dominated the match but just couldn't score. As per usual Nick Walsh was way too quick to issue a red card, could he not have looked at the monitor? Hardly a James Tarkowski-esque challenge was it? This decision changed the game, the Tangerines once again steal the points at Tynecastle.

David: Where do you start with Hearts? Another crunch match, thinking Petrocub here, and no change or improvement. Data, statistics, quotients, ratios, analytics, or whatever you want to call them do not score goals, players do. Perhaps concentrating on them, their abilities and some kind of tactical plan and game management plan might be worth a try.

Donald: United came to play for a draw as a minimum, playing for time from the kick-off. Hearts were again tactically inept, sideways or backwards passing, Beni Baningime was the only one who tried in midfield. He had chances to shoot but never did it, kept offloading to static players. Team setup has zero pace and no movement up front to give options. As it stands, it's a bottom six finish, a relegation battle and a loss in the semi-final. Been a season ticket holder 40-plus years and a walk up decades before that, scunnered by the recent/current season performance.

Chris: Get Craig Halkett and Frankie Kent back into defence, play Cammy Devlin and Beni every single game they are fit and give James Wilson time out of the team. Blair Spittal has been poor for a number of weeks and the management are so slow in reacting. Our defence is weak, bar James Penrice, and the communication is literally non-existent. We are so far off the required level, I don't know many fans who want a top six place. We will lose all five games.

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• Dundee United have scored in each of their last six games in the Premiership, scoring eight goals in that run.

• Hearts attempted 15 shots in this match, higher than their season average of 12.6 in the Premiership.

• Dundee United have kept a clean sheet in 11 of their 32 games, only Rangers (13) and Celtic (20) have done this more often in the Premiership this season.

Watch highlights from Dundee United's 1-0 win over Hearts in the Scottish Premiership.

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Dundee United took a significant step towards a top-five Scottish Premiership finish and reignited their hopes of finishing third with victory over 10-man Hearts.

Were you at the game or following along from elsewhere?

Give us your views on the match here.

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Hearts head coach Neil Critchley: "Yeah, disappointed with the outcome, not with the way we played the game. I thought we were by far the better team with 11 men, arguably the better team with 10 men.

"We created more chances, more shots, and we just didn't take them, our quality let us down.

"Obviously, the red card has a huge bearing on the outcome in the game. The only one clear opportunity that they probably created from our mistake, that's on us.

"We gave Dalby too much room in the box, and he scored, and he punished us, and that's really the story of the game.

"We went right to the end, the spirit of the players and the effort was fantastic and [top six is] still in our hands, that's the most positive thing.

"I thought we played in a really good manner, positive, won the ball back off them a lot of times, played some really good football, and it was just our bit in the final third that we, for some reason, mistime things or rush things.

"We just need to show a little bit better quality and composure in the final third, and I think we would have been probably a good one or two goals up at that point."

On James Wilson's red card, he adds: "My initial reaction is it wasn't a red card, I have to be honest, I thought he goes.. The ball gets away from him, he makes a genuine attempt to win the ball and I thought he actually got a little bit of the ball.

"His follow-through, obviously when you're sliding in there's going to be a natural follow-through, and he catches the player. You could say it's a little bit high and mistimed, so on reflection, I can understand the decision and James, he has to take his medicine and learn from it."

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Wilson has made a huge impression this season for Hearts and duly received praise from many. But his sending off will be a lesson he will have to learn from.

This defeat also means next week's match at Motherwell becomes decisive as the battle for the final top-six place goes to the final game.

The scenario for Hearts is simple. Win at Fir Park, and its in the bag. Draw, and they have to rely on St Mirren dropping points at home to Ross County.

A nervous Saturday afternoon awaits fans of all three clubs.

Hearts defender Lewis Neilson, 21, was inspired by his former next door neighbour, Scotland international Stuart Armstrong, when both were based in Dundee. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Former Hearts forward Craig Wighton suffered a serious-looking heading injury in Montrose's League 1 defeat by Arbroath, with the match subject to a lengthy delay. (Sun), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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An "exciting" season finale is driving Hearts' centre-back Craig Halkett back to fitness after a couple of injury-hit campaigns.

The 29-year-old has managed just 27 league appearances across three seasons, with 12 of those coming this year.

Halkett returned to action towards the end of 2024 before suffering a hamstring injury in their game against Kilmarnock at the end of January.

"I think it goes under the radar a little bit how tough it is to get back from such a big injury," Halkett said. "I've fallen on the wrong side of that and picked up a few things since I've been back.

"The last six or seven weeks have been frustrating but I've worked hard. The rehab has been intense and tough. So I'm feeling fit and feeling good and ready to go.

"It was hard, this season especially. I came back in pre-season feeling great. I managed to get in the team and then found myself out for a few months which was frustrating.

"I worked hard every day, got back in and just around Christmas I felt the best I'd felt in a long time. Playing well, doing well. The last thing I thought would happen was pick up another injury but unfortunately it happened.

"I've worked so hard these last five or six weeks to get on with myself and as best shape as possible. I'm feeling fit and ready to go."

Now, the former Livingston man is racing to be back fit for the closing stages of the season - including Hearts' Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen later this month.

"I think that's something that's drove myself and the other injured players to work hard and get back fit as soon as we can," he added. "We haven't rushed things by all means but we've worked hard.

"The thought of a semi-final and potentially a final to play for and top six in European places, it could be a really exciting end of the season. There's a lot to play for and it's an exciting time."

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Hearts defenders Jamie McCart, Stephen Kingsley and Frankie Kent are all pushing for a return to contention after injury but Gerald Taylor (knee) and Aidan Denholm (hamstring) are still out.

United have Emmanuel Adegboyega back from suspension but will make late decisions on fitness concerns for several unnamed players.

Qualifying for Europe will not define Hearts' summer transfer business, says head coach Neil Critchley. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Read Saturday's Scottish gossip

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Hearts have been given an extra 1,941 tickets for their Scottish Cup semi-final against Aberdeen later this month.

After selling out their original allocation of 19,000 tickets, a further 1,000 were also sold to Hearts supporters.

Following discussions with the Scottish FA, the Tynecastle club have now been given an extra batch of almost 2,000 for the Hampden game.

Hearts take on Aberdeen on 19 April with a 12:30 BST kick-off, live on BBC One Scotland.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Neil Critchley says the current set-up in the Scottish top flight "can't be right" and "can't be fair" as discussions continue over possible restructuring.

Hearts are sixth in the league and need to win both of their pre-split matches - against Dundee United and Motherwell - to guarantee a top-half finish.

Critchley took charge at Tynecastle in October and says he is not experienced enough in Scottish football to offer an opinion on what is the best route forwards, but believes some teams having more home games than others provides an imbalance.

"Obviously I've seen the reports this week about the possibility of the reconstruction of the league," he said. "I don't yet feel as though I've been here long enough to offer my opinion.

"From the general consensus of everyone that I've spoken to, staff, supporters, they would like more teams in the league for competition for variety. If you get that, then I don't think the split happens.

"It doesn't seem quite right that you possibly play more games away or at home. That then suggests that the competition can't be fair, which for me, from a logical way of looking at things, can't be right.

"My general feeling is surely more teams, home and away. There's pros and cons for everything, isn't there?

"I know finances play a part in that as well, but variety is the spice of life and we all want a little bit more variety in the competition, I think."

After Craig Halkett returned to the squad last weekend, fellow defenders Jamie McCart, Frankie Kent and Stephen Kingsley are all back in full training and pushing for involvement in Sunday's visit of Dundee United.

"So far, the players who've returned, there's been no complications, no issues," added Critchley.

"They've trained, they're feeling good. It's nice to have their presence on the pitch, their experience and seniority back into the group. They've got good voices around the dressing room.

"They add a lot to the group, and you can see how keen they are to be involved. I think they sense we could be in for a really good end to the season."

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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Hearts head coach Neil Critchley has been talking to the media before his side's Scottish Premiership match against Dundee United on Sunday.

Here are the best bits from his news conference:

• Critchley says his team will "attack" the two games before the split with "positivity and optimism" as they aim to secure a top-six finish.

• He doesn't feel qualified to offer an opinion on a potential restructuring of the top flight, but says everyone he has spoken to would like more teams in the division and "more variety".

• Critchley adds the current split at 33 matches "can't be fair" with some teams having more home games than others.

• Critchley stressed the importance of the race for the top six being in Hearts' hands and how he wants to keep driving improvement until the end of the season.

• On Dundee United, Critchley expects a "really tough, awkward" match on Sunday, but wants to "take the game" to the visitors at Tynecastle.

• He says Hearts are planning for nine remaining matches, which would require a victory against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final. He also insists a top-six finish is not a success if they miss out on Europe.

• Gerald Taylor remains out, but Craig Halkett, Jamie McCart and Frankie Kent are all in contention for Sunday's game. Stephen Kingsley missed training earlier this week through illness, but trained today.

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• Hearts have lost just one of their past nine Scottish Premiership games against Dundee United (W6 D2), although that was their last at home in September this season (1-0).

• After that 1-0 win in September, United could win back-to-back top-flight away games at Hearts for the first time since February 2012 under Peter Houston.

• Hearts have won six of their past eight home league games (L2), including both of their past two. Hearts last won three successive home matches in the Scottish Premiership in February 2024.

• United are the only side in the Premiership this season to pick up at least half of their points away from home (52% - 23/44), winning their last game 1-0 away to Ross County.

• Hearts have won four of their past five games against newly-promoted opposition in the Scottish Premiership (L1), as many as their previous 20 beforehand (W4 D8 L8).

Hearts are looking at options to sign a new right-back when the summer transfer window opens and will work with sports recruitment firm Jamestown Analytics to identify possible targets. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Hearts chief executive Andrew McKinlay says the Scottish Premiership club are well down the line with summer transfer targets despite Brighton & Hove Albion majority owner and chairman Tony Bloom's proposed £10m investment yet to be finalised. (Hearts Standard), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

BBC Scotland football reporter Brian McLauchlin has been answering some of your questions on Hearts.

Anoni asked: Any inkling about how Hearts would vote in any league reconstruction proposals? And as a fan-run club, would they lean toward listening to the general fan support for some sort of league expansion?

Brian answered: It's only a few years ago, during the dark days of Covid, that Ann Budge and the Hearts board submitted suggestions for a change in the current league set-up. Of course this came about after the league was halted and led to Hearts - and Partick Thistle and Stranraer - being relegated when arguably other options were available.

One of the main reasons for this current discussion is the new format for European football and the extra fixtures that come with this. And given the fact Hearts will be hopeful in the coming years of participating at this level I would suggest a small reduction in the number of league fixtures would be welcome.

I also feel that given that Hearts are now a fan-owned club, although not fan run, the Foundation of Hearts would be canvassed for their opinion.

Alistair asked: Given that the January window was arguably Hearts' best in a long time - and with big earners out of contract in the summer - how big can the partnership with Jamestown Analytics be for Hearts' prospects next season?

William asked: Where do you think Hearts need to strengthen next season?

Brian answered: The partnership with Jamestown Analytics may have come as a surprise and been questioned about its merits by many fans, but within the 'football industry', it is looked upon as a game changer for Hearts long term.

Everyone will have their own views on recruitment being either good, bad or indifferent, but put plainly, its success will only be determined by results on the pitch and whether the level of investment in players can be looked on as good value.

Jamestown Analytics is deemed to be one of the world leaders on data and recruitment. The examples of Brighton down south and Union St-Gilloise in Belgium are the two most high-profile examples of success.

But these successes didn't happen overnight and I think it will take possibly another three or four transfer windows before we see the full benefits of this at Tynecastle.

Work is already underway with regards new recruits in the summer. The right-back area has been a troublesome one over the past few seasons and I would fully expect some movement in that position.

I would also not rule out at least one new striker coming in and the midfield to be bolstered. However, decisions will have to be made about who is offered the opportunity to stay on and, like all good recruitment models, a budget has to be adhered to and ensure there is no overspend.

Greig asked: If you had a magic wand and there was one thing you could bring into this Hearts team from the past, what would it be and why?

Brian answered: Great question. When I look back at the 1998 team, that was special. Jim Jefferies cultivated a squad over a four or five-year period with a mixture of youth and experience that was able to create their own piece of history by winning the Scottish Cup.

There were many excellent individuals in the squad, the likes of Colin Cameron and David Weir plus young talent such as Gary Naismith and Paul Ritchie; they were truly a team of terrific players.

On cup final day, 10 of the 14 Hearts players used were Scots while Gilles Rousset, Stephane Adam, Thomas Flogel, with the now sadly departed Stefano Salvatori giving the squad the foreign twist. One of the best Hearts teams I have ever seen.

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Is the Scottish Premiership in need of a shake-up? If so, how do you go about it?

News emerged on Tuesday that the SPFL is considering changing Scotland's top flight to a 10, 14 or 16-team division in an attempt to help reduce fixture congestion.

In its current 12-team form, the clubs split into a top and bottom six after 33 rounds of matches, with 38 rounds played altogether.

That format has been in place since 2000-01 and retaining that model is also an option, but reports have also suggested the split could be scrapped.

For any fresh structure to pass, it needs the backing of 11 of the 12 Premiership clubs, and eight out of 10 from the Championship plus 75% of League One and League Two combined.

And judging by the fan reaction to the mere thought of reducing the league to a 10-team division, you would have to assume that idea is already unlikely.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, former Premiership players Cammy Bell and Cillian Sheridan provided their views on a potential restructure.

Expansion is the only option for former Rangers and Kilmarnock goalkeeper Bell, while ex-Celtic striker Sheridan would like to see the split retained.

"I think we need a little bit of freshness about our game," Bell said. "So, if we can expand that league, then absolutely do it. We've got big enough clubs now that can generate good crowds.

"We're at a time just now where we've got the potential of trying to change it and certainly for me it's got to be expansion."

"The split works now," Sheridan added. "When I first came over and saw the whole split thing, I just never really got it. But in the past few years it has been quite interesting.

"If the league is wrapped up, if relegation is wrapped up, it does add a little bit of excitement to things in terms of teams getting into the top six and having to get European football."

Heart of Midlothian head coach Neil Critchley has reassured midfielder Yan Dhanda and winger Alan Forrest they still have a part to play at Tynecastle Park despite falling out of the starting line-up this year. (Edinburgh Evening News), external

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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