Ex-Steven Gerrard confidant set for Hearts job as Celtic icon reveals ‘buzzing’ conversation with new Hoops ace
A summary of all the major stories from the Scottish Premiership as the rival teams of Rangers and Celtic get closer to making an important appointment
This Saturday in the Scottish Premiership, the reigning champions Celtic and Jimmy Thelin’s high-flying Aberdeen team will square off as two teams with perfect victory records.
On a weekend when third-place Rangers go to Rugby Park to play Kilmarnock, the matchup promises to have a significant impact on this season’s title battle. In other division action, a Hearts team without a win will want to start the season strong by defeating St. Mirren at home. Last season, the Jambos were the best team outside of the Old Firm, but they are currently going through one
Hearts’ recent bad luck has seen the departure of former Ibrox attacker Steven Naismith, and it now seems that the team is getting close to hiring Neil Critchley, one of Steven Gerrard’s most trusted advisors.
In 2017, when Gerrard took over as coach of Liverpool’s under-18 squad, he first came into contact with Crichley. Gerrard frequently looked to Critchley for guidance as he started his own coaching career; at the time, he had recently been promoted to lead the under-23 squad.
High on the team’s evaluation list, Critchley was chosen by Jurgen Klopp to substitute for two cup matches in the 2019–20 season as the German focused on his team’s Club World Cup campaign.
After taking over as manager of Blackpool for the first time in March 2020, the 45-year-old unexpectedly promoted the team through the League One play-offs in his first full season in charge. Relentlessly, he overcame the drop, finishing 16th in the Championship the following year.
When Critchley departed his position as Blackpool manager to take on the post of assistant to Gerrard at Villa Park, the two rejoined at Aston Villa in June 2022, following Gerrard’s wildly successful time at Rangers.After a poor start to the Premier League season, Gerrard’s comeback with Aston Villa was short-lived as he was fired in October 2022.
Since then, Critchley has made a comeback to management, managing teams in the Championship at Queens Park Rangers and League One at Blackpool. However, neither of these tenure was as successful as his first at Bloomfield Road.
The Edinburgh Evening News has now revealed that Hearts are in advanced talks with Critchley, who is anticipated to take charge of his first game at Tynecastle Park this Saturday against St Mirren. Hearts had been linked to both rising Swedish manager Klall Karlsson and Norwegian Per Mathias Hogmo.
Celtic icon reveals ‘buzzing’ first conversation with Luke McCowan
Stiliyan Petrov, a former Celtic midfielder, waxed poetic over the acquisition of Luke McCowan and predicted the former Dundee player to be a valuable “asset” in the years to come. The Bulgarian told the Sunday Post that he seemed to be living every hoops fan’s fantasy after thinking back on his initial chat with McCowan.
Luke seems to smile every single minute, according to Petrov. It is evident to all of us how content he is to be a Celtic player. He has already scored a goal for Celtic and has made major contributions on the pitch. He is moving in the correct way. When I got to meet him a few weeks ago, he was full of energy. I advised him to unwind and savour these unique moments.
In his first four games for the Hoops, McCowan has scored one goal, all from the substitute bench.
