The Hearts boss says he’s “not daft” and admits it’s not difficult to see where the issues are in the team but insists he’s seen positive in his four games in charge so far.

He adds: “There is a fine line between winning and losing football matches. What happens in both penalty boxes ultimately decides the outcome of the game and the other night we weren’t good enough in both boxes.”

Critchley says Hearts need to be mentally strong and “focus on the things we can affect in games”.

He says the club need to create an “elite” environment to ensure the playing staff can cope with playing three games a week.

He is aware St Johnstone are playing a slightly different style under Simo Valakari and says “until the game against St Mirren in midweek it was working”.

Critchley admits “leader” Lawrence Shankland is “frustrated” at his lack of goals this season but the Tynecastle boss has “no doubt” he’ll start finding his form soon.

On the injury front, Beni Baningime back in contention to start and there’s no other changes to the squad from the midweek defeat by Kilmarnock.