Neil Critchley explains Hearts absence of Lawrence Shankland as captain misses Ross County.
Neil Critchley has explained why Lawrence Shankland is out for Hearts today. Captain Shankland is not in the matchday squad for the game at Ross County this afternoon, as manager Neil Critchley opts for Liam Boyce in attack. Hearts fans were taken aback by Critchley’s team selection, which saw Jorge Grant, Boyce, and Adam Forrester replace Craig Halkett, Cammy Devlin, and Shankland from the lineup that lost the Edinburgh Derby against Hibs on Boxing Day. Supporters are upset about the lineup and have even speculated that the manager is attempting to send a message to the board ahead of the January transfer window.
And commentator and Jamaican star John Robertson believes County would ‘like their chances’ against that XI.
Critchley explains Shankland Hearts injury
The Hearts manager has confirmed that his number nine suffered a calf strain following the Hibs defeat. After training yesterday, it was determined that the Scotland international should sit this one out. Critchley told BBC Sportsound: “Yes, after the Hibs game, he felt his calf a little bit. “He exercised yesterday and gave himself every opportunity to participate today; you can see he travelled with us, but he didn’t feel 100% this morning. “No real improvement from yesterday’s training session so not a risk we can take.”
Critchley on January transfer window
The Englishman has already spoken extensively about his plans for the January transfer window. It may take on additional importance following recent results and Hearts’ move for striker Elton Kabangu. Critchley provided an update, saying: “I believe it’s fairly evident that some parts of our squad need reinforcement, and with each window, you want to attempt to strengthen the squad. “If you can do it at the start of the window, it helps; you don’t want to wait until the end. “But January is a famously difficult month; you can’t sign players who are performing well for their teams because they won’t let them go.
“You have to look at the areas of the team that you believe can be strengthened; do they come in with the ability to have an instant effect, and do they progress over time? “It’s delicate but we’re working extremely hard behind the scenes and hopefully we can do some work.”“You have to look at the areas of the squad you think can be reinforced, do they come in capable of making an immediate impact and then do they move forward in the long-term.
“It’s delicate but we’re working extremely hard behind the scenes and hopefully we can do some work.”
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