BBC NEWS; Hibs star expects ‘weird’ Neil Critchley reunion as Hearts manager’s approach to derby predicted.

Hibs defender Marvin Ekpiteta will be on the other side of the fence from Neil Critchley on Sunday, and he acknowledges it will be a ‘strange’ experience.

Critchley was signed as the new manager of Hearts to replace Steven Naismith, who is currently unemployed after leaving Blackpool for the second time.

Ekpiteta worked for Critchley throughout his first and second tenure at the Lancashire club, with the first being far more successful than the latter.

Critchley signed Ekpiteta for Blackpool during the COVID-19 epidemic in 2020, and he quickly rose from the lower tiers of English football to Championship promotion.

Despite the upcoming Edinburgh derby between Hibs and Hearts, Ekpiteta is positive about his new adversary.

The 29-year-old hailed Critchley’s influence on his career and says it will be unusual to watch him in the opposing dugout at Easter Road.

Marvin Ekpiteta on Hearts manager Critchley

Hibs aim to pull away from the Jambos at the bottom of the Premiership, therefore gaining all three points is crucial.

Ekpiteta also gave insight into Critchley’s playing style, with the pair’s previous working connection undoubtedly beneficial to David Gray as he prepares his squad for the derby.

Ekpiteta told Sky Sports that he had nothing but wonderful things to say about Critchley. He understands how I feel about him.

“He allowed me to play in (English) League One and the Championship from the lesser levels. So he knows I am grateful to him.

“It was different both times I had him (in Blackpool). He recently switched to a more possession-based approach and pushing the ball forward as quickly as possible, so expect something similar on Sunday.

“I got along with him extremely well. He was quite helpful to me both on and off the pitch. So, yes, we have a terrific connection.

When asked if he had spoken with Critchley before of the crucial match in Leith, Ekpiteta said, “No, I hadn’t.

“It is weird coming up against him having worked with him for three years but the main thing is just to get the three points and once we get that, we can talk after.”

Ekpiteta takes Hibs slack ‘personally’.

Hibs have been accused of having a soft centre this season, having conceded 14 league goals.

Individual errors have been a recurring problem for Gray’s team, as seen against Dundee United last weekend.

Ekpiteta understands the dissatisfaction and says he takes the criticism personally because he is at the center of the team’s defense.

He answered, “Yeah, things don’t always go your way.” We just need to gain three points on the board since our blunders are costing us a lot.

“If we can eliminate them, I’m confident we’ll begin to accumulate more points. I take it (criticism) personally since I am a centre-back and one of the primary reasons for keeping the ball out of the goal.

“I do take that personally and I have to do better myself.”

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