The Neil Critchley words Hearts must put into action in make or break showdown with Dundee United – Ryan Stevenson

Actions speak louder than words. But in football results are always the be all and end all.

I get what Neil Critchley was saying after Saturday’s 3-0 scudding at Celtic Park when he admitted it became about damage limitation for Hearts. But this weekend at home to Dundee United? It has to be about inflicting the maximum damage on the Terrors. And that means three points.

Let’s not shy away from it - this 90 minutes is absolutely massive. The biggest game of Hearts’ season. An afternoon that could make or break the campaign. Critchley said the second half against Celtic was not how he wants to play at Hearts. He insists he will “live or die” by ensuring the club’s traditions of “going toe-to-toe, being on the front foot, being aggressive”.

That’s music to my ears. But it’s all fine and well saying it. Come 2.30pm on Sunday at a fired-up Tynecastle his players better be ready to prove it. Win and they cut the gap on fifth-place United to two points and maybe even secure that top six spot depending on other results.

Lose.. well that is simply unthinkable. Drawing isn’t much good either. This is another occasion when everyone from Critchley and his staff to his starting XI and subs will be under the microscope with fans.

Hearts need to show what happened at Celtic Park has been put in the bin. The manager was trying to protect his players saying they stuck to their task and were undone by two lapses of concentration.

They started with quite a brave line-up but after Celtic got two quick goals with their first attempts on target it just fell apart. I get it. The players know as soon as you go 3-0 down against the Old Firm it's damage limitation time.

For the manager, as soon as that final whistle goes you have to walk in