Beni Baningime says Hearts team like family as Neil Critchley reveals attempt to sign midfielder at Blackpool
The standout player for the Jambos as they defeated St Johnstone 2-1 in Perth was the former Everton midfielder.
After Hearts defeated St Johnstone 2-1, Beni Baningime called his teammates “family.” It was also revealed that head coach Neil Critchley had previously attempted to sign him when he was Blackpool’s manager.
The Jambos won their first away game of the Scottish Premiership season thanks to a hard run to the area and a brilliant pass for the Costa Rican, who then set up Kenneth Vargas for the game-winning goal. “Don’t Shoot!” he joked when asked what was on his thoughts as he approached the edge of the Saints’ penalty area.
“My thoughts weren’t very focused,” he added. Shanks was on my right. I’m not sure why I didn’t pass the ball to him since usually he scores it and puts it in the net, but I believe I chopped and went left. Kenny was there, and I gave it to him; he completed the task, so I’m just
“I usually play in the back, so when I got it and noticed that they sort of parted, I thought, ‘Oh, this is a great time to run,’ and I did that. I don’t really do that much, but I think maybe I should do it a little more because I do believe I have that in my locker.” I don’t really do it much because in the end, it’s about the team, not about me or whatever the coach asks me to do or how he can use me and my strengths.”
Beginning in the middle of the park with summer arrival Malachi Boateng, Baningime finished the game with Cammy Devlin as his midfield partner following a substitution in the 55th minute. He remarked about how much he enjoys playing with his fellow midfielders and made a very solid-looking pair with Boateng in the first half.
“I adore it,” Baningime declared. “That’s my boy.” On top of that, I enjoy playing with Granty and Cammy. Fortunately, that’s my boy, Malakai. That’s my boy, Cammy. That’s family, really.
“I think this team is unique to me because I have so many people here whom I will always stay in touch with after sport. Things have been difficult lately, but to be honest, we’re all supporting one another. I think these guys are fantastic, and I’m glad to have met them and to be here.”
“Honestly, his team, they used to kill us every single time, they used to beat us every single time, so it’s weird to now be on the same team as him,” Baningime remarked, referring to his encounters with Critchley as a young player and his near-signal at Blackpool. We always discuss it and make jokes about it.
“Blackpool did want me, and I had a nice conversation with the gaffer, but my family and I discussed it and decided that it wasn’t really the best time for me to leave at that point. It wasn’t the ideal moment for me to prepare for a few things, but life happens as it does. He is now my gaffer, and I couldn’t be happier about it.”
How is working with them now? “Demanding,” Baningime stated. “I believe I need that.” I believe that occasionally, like everyone else, I can be a little complacent, but he is at everyone’s level of improvement, and I believe that he has come in and fixed some of the things that he has said. This season, we have had some weaknesses, we haven’t been great, and we have lost a few games. Working with him, Mike, Foxy, and the rest of the crew that we already know is a delight, to be honest.
