Two football pundits have shared their views on a key decision made by Neil Critchley that has significantly benefited Hearts and one of their most promising young talents.
Critchley’s efforts to push Hearts into contention for European qualification have been strengthened by what has been described as a ‘brave’ call earlier in the season. Appointed in October as Steven Naismith’s successor, the former Blackpool boss took charge of a struggling Hearts side battling at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership. However, he has since overseen a steady turnaround, with Hearts now firmly in the race for Europe and preparing for a Scottish Cup semi-final clash against Aberdeen.
One of Critchley’s most impactful decisions was giving young forward James Wilson a more prominent role in the squad. The 18-year-old academy graduate has flourished under his leadership, scoring six goals and registering two assists in 24 appearances across all competitions. His impressive form earned him a first call-up to Scotland’s senior squad for the recent Nations League play-off against Greece, where he made his international debut.
Wilson’s rise has drawn praise from pundits, who have commended Critchley for his bold approach. Former Hibs midfielder Stephen McGinn, who works in St Mirren’s youth setup, told Go Radio: “There are a lot of top players at that level, but they just need opportunities. Credit to the manager—Hearts were at the bottom of the league, and he turned to a 17-year-old, who has now flourished and even become a full Scotland international.
“It’s about young players continuing to push for chances and managers being willing to give them opportunities. Neil Critchley has been incredibly brave, and it has paid off. Imagine the pressure of being at the bottom of the league and putting faith in a 17-year-old—it’s a huge call, but he’s absolutely been rewarded.”
Rangers legend and current football agent Craig Moore has also been impressed with Wilson’s performances, describing him as ‘a real talent’ while praising the Hearts setup for aiding his development.
Moore added: “The key thing, as Stephen mentioned, is that James Wilson is a real talent—I’ve watched him play, and he has something special. But for young players to succeed, someone has to give them that chance. Whether it’s the Under-18s coach, the academy director, or an assistant coach, there needs to be someone willing to take the risk and say, ‘You know what? We’re going to give you this opportunity.’”
