Neil Critchley Impressed by Finlay Pollock’s Performance Despite Injury Setback
Hearts head coach Neil Critchley took the opportunity to watch on-loan midfielder Finlay Pollock in action midweek, and despite the player’s injury, Critchley was encouraged by what he saw. Pollock, whose speed, strength, and attacking flair are attributes Hearts could use, netted the opener in Raith Rovers’ 3-0 victory over Hamilton Academical on Tuesday. Unfortunately, his night was cut short due to an injury after just 22 minutes on the pitch.
Pollock’s career has been hindered by fitness concerns since his breakthrough into the Hearts first team nearly four years ago. Critchley is mindful of the 20-year-old’s injury history and understands the importance of a consistent run of games. Currently, Pollock has made 14 appearances for Raith and is expected to stay at Stark’s Park until the season’s end, occasionally adjusting to new positions on the field.
Under new Raith boss Barry Robson, who implemented a 3-5-2 formation after taking charge last month, Pollock has been utilized on the left side of a three-man midfield. This role allows him to push forward frequently, effectively acting as an additional attacker. While this position plays to his strengths—especially his goal-scoring instinct and dynamic runs—it differs from his usual roles as a wide right or central midfielder with Hearts.
Discussing his observations from the Hamilton match, Critchley expressed both satisfaction and concern: “It was disappointing for Finlay to come off early. He scored a really good goal, took it well playing through the middle. Then he went down, and you just think, ‘Oh no.’ He only lasted about 20 minutes before having to come off.”
Critchley emphasized that Pollock’s loan is designed to provide valuable playing time, even as he navigates changes under a new manager. “He’s had to adapt to a new system with Barry coming in, and that’s part of being on loan—finding your place, understanding what the manager wants, and overcoming setbacks like injuries. Hopefully, all of this will benefit both Finlay and Hearts down the line.”
As Critchley prepares Hearts for a clash against Dundee this afternoon, he’s also managing the closing stages of the January transfer window. So far, Hearts have secured four new signings—Elton Kabangu, Jamie McCart, Michael Steinwender, and Sander Kartum—but Critchley noted that no immediate additions are expected before Monday’s 11 p.m. deadline.
When it comes to attracting new talent, Critchley said there’s been no challenge in selling the Hearts project to potential signings. “This club is, in my opinion, an easy sell. It’s a fantastic football club with big ambitions and a loyal supporter base. The facilities, the stadium, the city itself—it all speaks for itself. Every player I’ve spoken to has been excited about the prospect of joining.”
Part of Hearts’ recruitment process includes introducing prospective players to the club’s rich history and culture. “We make sure players understand the traditions of Hearts, but it’s also important to connect on a personal level,” Critchley explained. “It’s not just about PowerPoint slides—it’s about sitting down, looking people in the eye, and understanding if they’re the right fit for this club. There’s a certain expectation here: you have to perform and win. When I scout players, I always ask, ‘Are they a Hearts player? Can they handle Tynecastle when it matters?’ That’s crucial.”
Despite the rise of technology in football scouting, Critchley still values traditional methods of talent evaluation. Hearts’ partnership with football analytics firm Jamestown Analytics is well-known, but Critchley enjoys the hands-on aspect of scouting.
“I haven’t been able to attend every game, especially with our packed schedule, but I love watching football live whenever I can,” he said. “I was at the Hamilton-Raith game on Tuesday, and that’s part of the job—you might spot a player you hadn’t noticed before. While technology helps, there’s something irreplaceable about seeing a player in person. But with our busy schedule, that’s why we rely on a strong recruitment team to support those efforts.”
With Pollock’s progress closely monitored and Hearts continuing to strengthen their squad, Critchley remains optimistic about the second half of the season.
