Neil Critchley informed the Hearts boo lads that the captain is the reason they are in Europe and refused to blame penalty offender Lawrence Shankland.
Hearts lost 2-0 to Cercle Brugge as Shankland blasted a late spot kick over the bar with the score at 1-0. Hearts’ fourth straight loss puts them with six points from their four Conference League games, comfortably putting them in the running for a last-16 spot.
However, it ended badly for Shankland, who has yet to score a goal in 20 games this season and announced last week that he will be leaving the team next year. The 3100 Hearts supporters gathered behind the goal threw obscenities at him after his missed penalty.
But according to Critchley, “I haven’t talked to him yet. I believe that all he needs is some privacy. Following the game, he is clearly distraught, as one could anticipate. However, I have never chastised a player for taking a penalty or failing to take one. It is possible. We both win and lose together.
“I can relate to your frustration. The fact that we were unable to offer them three points or a goal to celebrate tonight has greatly saddened us. We are all disappointed; it’s only a natural feeling.
You have the same desire to have a wonderful evening as everyone else when you’re travelling in large numbers, paying for it, and travelling a long distance. Unfortunately, it hasn’t occurred. He scored the goals that put us in this situation, so without him, we wouldn’t be here.
Since it’s a team game, the other players are also at fault, not only Lawrence. Alan [Forrest], Yan [Dhanda], [Blair] Spittal, Kenny [Vargas], and the forwards [Liam] Boycie, James Wilson, and Barrie McKay have all entered and played. We haven’t produced the goals or created the plays you’re looking for.
Hearts had multiple chances to tie the score after the interval, but Shankland, Alan Forrest, and Kenneth Vargas were unable to score. “It’s a difficult one, and to be honest with you, it feels a little like deja vu,” Critchley added. This is a game of narrow margins, and regrettably, we have lost yet again.
Yes, it’s frustrating with a capital F. Sometimes it’s easier to accept if you want to, especially if we’ve been thoroughly defeated and you’re defeated by a superior team.
However, we are playing the game, playing well, and are possibly the superior team, especially in the second half. And you have to take chances just in those situations where you need to score. We’re making them, but we’re not scoring, which is clearly problematic.
Critchley believed that if Shanklanbd had buried his spot kick in the 82nd minute, Hearts would have won the match. “I thought we were ahead, and I thought if we scored right then…,” he remarked. Goals alter games; aren’t they the crucial, significant moments? With ten minutes remaining and a 1-1 score, it’s officially game on, right?
