Neil Critchley hails poacher’s instinct of Hearts striker James Wilson

Posted Sunday, October 27, 2024 by PA

Neil Critchley praised James Wilson’s poacher’s instinct after the 17-year-old Hearts striker stepped off the bench to score a late Edinburgh derby equaliser against Hibernian.

The academy graduate latched on to a long throw and netted from close range in the 87th minute in front of almost 4000 jubilant away supporters at Easter Road to salvage a 1-1 draw after Mykola Kuharevich’s 65th-minute opener for Hibs.

Wilson has made just six sub appearances for Hearts and this was his second goal in consecutive games under Critchley after he notched his first for the club against St Mirren last weekend.

“Fantastic, but that’s him, he’s a goal scorer, a goal poacher,” said the Jambos boss. “That’s what goal scorers do. They just arrive in the right position at the right time, and they find a way of hitting the back of the net.

“I’ve been really impressed with James since I’ve come in. Good kid, always smiling, breath of fresh air. When you need a goal, and you need a bit of energy at that end of the pitch, then I’m delighted to get a chance to turn around and put him on the pitch.

“He’s settled into the group really well. What a fantastic moment for him, right in front of all the supporters there to go and pick the ball out of the back of the net and celebrate how he did. I’m sure he’ll remember that for a long time.”

The point maintained Critchley’s unbeaten start and stopped Hibs – bottom of the William Hill Premiership on goal difference – from leapfrogging Hearts. They two Edinburgh clubs remain locked together on the six-point mark at the foot of the table.

“It’s a mixture of emotions really,” he said. “We were wasteful in the first half, but I felt we started to push Hibs back in the second half, so to concede how we conceded, and at that time when we were in the ascendancy was hugely disappointing. But our character after that was brilliant, and I think we were deserving of a point.”

Hibs have been plagued by the loss of late goals and boss David Gray felt their lapse for Wilson’s goal undermined an otherwise encouraging performance.

“I don’t think anybody could deny that we deserved to win the game on chances created,” said Gray.

“Unfortunately it’s a similar story. One moment of defending a long throw at the very end, and unfortunately there are people not doing their job properly.

“The reality again comes back to the same thing, which is when you get as many chances as we do and don’t take these chances, you need to be more resolute at the back.

“For 99 per cent of the game, I thought we were excellent defensively, but we’ve dropped two points again, in my opinion.”