Neil Critchley Stands Firm on Hearts' Principles After 3-0 Celtic Loss

Hearts manager Neil Critchley expressed his commitment to the club's footballing principles following a 3-0 defeat to Celtic, where his team started well but succumbed to three first-half goals. Critchley emphasized the need for his players to maintain belief in their approach, which focuses on aggression and playing on the front foot. Despite the loss, he acknowledged positive moments in the first half, particularly praising player Elton Kabangu for his efforts against Celtic's defense. However, he criticized the second half for becoming a period of damage limitation, a tactic he hopes to avoid in future matches. Critchley remains focused on developing a team capable of competing at a high level without retreating defensively, aiming to learn from this setback. He reiterated his dedication to the club's traditions and the importance of striving for improvement against top opponents.