Neil Critchley 'failure' at Hearts sparks fiery TV debate on Sky Sports (2025)

Boyd is adamant that the Tynecastle boos is under pressure as Sutton claimed sack talk was 'ridiculous'

Kris Boyd and Chris Sutton have clashed over whether Neil Critchley should be under pressure as Hearts boss.

The Jambos missed out on a top six spot after a meek 0-0 draw at Motherwell saw St Mirren leapfrog both into the top half.

Critchley also missed the chance to get the job done the weekend before as Hearts went down 0-1 at home to Dundee Utd.

Boyd is adamant that the third biggest club in the country should be in the top six as a minimum and that Critchley failing to achieve it means his position has to be under threat.

Sutton railed against that, claiming that the start made under Steven Steven Naismith meant that survival was Critchley's only remit this season, which caused Boyd to nearly blow a gasket in response.

Boyd: "Whatever we say about Hearts - I know they've got a semifinal to look forward to next week - it's been a disappointing season for them. Steven Naismith lost his job at the start of the season because of the start they had. Neil Critchley came in and got a lot of plaudits but he's under pressure now, there's no getting away from it."

Sutton: "He can't be under pressure Kris, come on now."

Boyd: "Why? They're the third biggest team in the country and they;re in the bottom six again."

Sutton: "What did he take over?"

Boyd: "It doesn't matter."

Sutton: "Well it does matter. There's one transfer window which he's had. His aim when he came in, was to keep the club in the top flight. That's it."

Boyd: "To keep Hearts in the top flight?! To keep Hearts in the top flight?!"

Sutton: "Did you not watch Hearts at the start of the season?"

Boyd: "No, no, let's clear this up. You are saying to me, that Heart of Midlothian Football Club's remit, was to stay in the top flight? Wow!""

Sutton: "If you watched the start of the season and look at Hearts' results, remember how bad they were and then he came in."

Boyd: "I'm fully aware. I'm fully aware."

Sutton: "This disappointment will be that it was in their hands. They were in the top six."

Boyd: "They'll be delighted - they've stayed in the top division!"

Sutton: "He's talking about he's under pressure. You can't start sacking manager's when it's not really his-"

Boyd: "Do you think he'll be in charge of Hearts at the start of next season?"

Sutton: "Yes, I do. It would be ridiculous to sack him."

Boyd: "Alright, okay. Next Saturday is huge for Hearts now. Huge. Semi-final of the Scottish Cup against Aberdeen. Huge game of football. Hearts have underperformed this season, there's no getting away from it. And they;ve failed. The third biggest club is not in the top six."

Sutton: "That's not all on Neil Critchley though."

Boyd: "He's the manager."

Sutton: "Who was the manager at the start of the season? The recruitment was one of the biggest issues at Hearts."