Neil Critchley responds to Hearts fan boycott as cheeky chant from St Johnstone end met with timely silencer

Neil Critchley has told the Hearts fans ‘your team needs you’ after the Ultras group boycotted this crucial win over St Johnstone.

The vocal 300-strong group stayed away from the Premiership basement scrap in protest in the wake of the embarrassing midweek Conference League exit following a 2-2 draw with Petrocub. There were rows of empty seats in the Gorgie Road stand but they ended up missing a rare win. Only a fourth victory in 18 league outings saw Hearts move off the bottom and up to tenth ahead of the Boxing Day derby visit of Hibs.

Birthday-boy James Penrice and Blair Spittal grabbed the crucial goals either side of a penalty from Graham Carey. It was not just the Ultras that made their voice heard as Hearts blew a £1 million Euro bounty on Thursday night and boss Critchley insists he needs everyone pulling in the same direction. Asked about the Ultras’ boycott, Critchley said: “We need them, we need everyone together.

“We need their support, the support in the ground today was fantastic and it made a difference. This should be an intimidating atmosphere for everyone who comes here. We’ve got to make this like a fortress. To do that, we need everyone with us.

“In a sticky moment, that’s where you turn to the people around you to galvanise you. We’ve had to galvanise ourselves this week. The players need the staff, they need me, but we need them as well.

“We have to do it together and we need the supporters with us. When they’re with us they can see fight and passion on the pitch.

“We showed real grit and determination today and we’ve had to dig it out. They applaud that, they appreciate that. It’s vitally important because that’s what gives you the best chance of having success.

“We don’t need separation and