Neil Critchley appointed as Steven Naismith's replacement by Hearts after his stint at Blackpool

Hearts have made the decision to appoint Neil Critchley as their new head coach, as they look to turn their fortunes around while sitting at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

The Tynecastle Park club have been searching for Steven Naismith's successor after he was sacked following last month's league defeat to St Mirren.

Interim boss Liam Fox guided Hearts to a Conference League win against Dinamo Minsk before a last-minute defeat to Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Critchley, who was former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard's assistant at Aston Villa, has been out of work since he was sacked by Blackpool in August.

The 45-year-old had left the Seasiders to join Gerrard at Villa Park and then had a brief spell as QPR boss before returning to Bloomfield Road.

His first game in charge of Hearts will be at home to St Mirren on Saturday before a Conference League clash with Omonia Nicosia on October 24.

Critchley will then take his new side to Easter Road on October 27 to face Edinburgh rivals Hibernian, live on .

The Jambos are bottom of the Scottish Premiership on two points and are still searching for their first league win of the season.

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