In August, following his second stint as manager of the Seasiders, and eighteen months after being fired by QPR after just twelve games in charge, Critchley was fired by Blackpool. In his first season in command, he had guided Blackpool into the Championship through the play-offs, and Hearts relied on Tony Bloom’s Jamestown Analytics program to assist them find the most qualified applicants. That hasn’t been able to calm the fears of many supporters. However, Gordon, the club captain, says he is eager to work with the new manager and has urged the Gorgie supporters to support both assistant Mike Garrity and Critchley.

“We have to win games,” he stated. This will soon alter if we win games. It is up to us all to band together and escape the situation we find ourselves in. Everyone is deserving of a chance. It’s obviously far too early to draw unfavourable conclusions from it.

“Going with analytics has been a comprehensive process, and it appears that’s the best course of action. I am confident that it will go well because, according to the guys I spoke with, they are enjoying training and can’t wait to get underway.

“I had a conversation with Critchley right before his announcement. I was able to catch a brief moment in passing to wish him well and check in with him while he was at the team hotel. It was just a conversation. Here at Hearts, we are embarking on an exciting new chapter. I can’t wait to return and get going there.

After making many excellent saves to lead Scotland to a 0-0 draw with Portugal on Tuesday, Gordon tied Alex McLeish for sixth position among Scotland’s most capped players. The 41-year-old’s incredible career is coming to a conclusion, and this puts him in a strong position to keep the number one shirt when Steve Clarke’s team plays Poland and Croatia in the Nations League final.

With the Jambos at the bottom of the Premiership league with just two points from eight games and Scotland at the bottom of their Nations League group with one point from four games, Gordon is hoping the clean sheet can turn the season around for both the club and the nation.

“I’d take anything to turn the season around,” he declared. It’s an initial step. I haven’t had a clean sheet of paper in a long time.

It gives me great satisfaction to go out there and support the team in earning a clean sheet, as well as to assist them advance and score a point. Since it’s challenging at this level, it’s a terrific beginning point for our team, and ideally I

“When playing against a team the calibre of Portugal and their depth of talent, you know it’s going to be extremely difficult.” It took a terrific team effort from the players in front of me and even the midfield to limit them. I genuinely believed that we were excellent throughout the entire field.