Neil Critchley reveals the Hearts player he tried to sign

The 26-year-old was a key figure in a huge win at McDiarmid Park on Saturday afternoon and set up the winning goal when he slipped in Kenneth Vargas.

Critchley also spoke on the team's performance and his dislike of VAR.

Read everything he said after the victory in Perth.

Neil, for a team that started the day bottom out of the league, when you lose that equaliser, it would be easy for the boys to go in on themselves. Was that the most pleasing aspect of the way that they kicked on again?

It probably was, actually, yeah. It's almost like their goal gave us a lift. It was quite bizarre, really. I thought we started the game very well. I thought we showed a good response from losing on Wednesday night. I thought we were aggressive on the front foot, we had some good moves, lots of corners, and we scored from one. We lost some energy in the second half and St Johnstone got on top of us. I thought St Johnstone played very well in the second half. The way they play causes problems and after their equaliser, you can fear the worst and start to feel sorry for yourselves. But I have to say, the players' character was fantastic. The second goal was a great goal, and then we've had to really grind it out. Put bodies on the line, head, tackle, chase, block, and that shows that we're capable of winning ugly games, which is a big step forward for us.

Was the equaliser explained to you?

No. It's probably my first experience of VAR. I'm not a fan of it. I've always said I'm not a fan of it. I've had some experiences at Blackpool and in cup games, etc. I've never been a fan of it. I just don't think it should be part of the game. It causes issues and problems like that. So, for me, it wasn't a penalty.

I know he booked Cammy Devlin. Was there a pull? Was there a trip?

There was a coming together, and if you look at it, for me, the boy pulls Cam down first, and as Cam's falling over, he then pulls him down. They both end up in a heap. It then looks like Cam's pulled the player down, but you can't quite see it from the angle, from where we're looking at it. But you can see that Cam is brought to the floor, and I thought it was... if you're going to give penalties for those decisions, we'd have ten a game, I think.

From your assessment on the sidelines, why do you think the team lost its way in the second half?

I just think our energy died a little bit in the game. It was hard for us to keep getting pressure on the ball. So, with the way that St Johnstone play, they control the middle of the pitch because of the numbers, and also, we turned the ball over as well. We didn't keep the ball well enough when we got it, so sometimes the best form of defence is attack. If you've got the ball, the opposition don't have the ball, and therefore they don't get to the goal. At that time, that's why we made some subs quite early because we felt we needed to do something different and bring energy to the pitch. But other than Craigie making an unbelievable save, we've been quite comfortable, really. They've got a lot of balls into the box, and they've been in our half, but I have to say I thought we defended the goal very, very well.

Beni Baningime, you must be delighted with his contribution today?

Yeah, delighted. I've known Beni for a long time, since his early days at Everton. I've tried to sign him before, so I'm delighted he's here. I didn't quite think he was ready to start Wednesday night, but I'm not used to seeing him go on a mazy run, run from the middle of the pitch. I don't think he knew what he was going to do when he got to the edge of the box. But he did brilliantly well, and he slid it in for Kenny, and Kenny thankfully tucked it in. So that's good for Kenny as well.

You must have been pleased with the character?

Yeah, without a doubt, and that was the message to the players before the game. I always say good teams don't lose twice on the bounce. They always respond, and they find a way to win. And we needed to respond from the other night. We need to show what we're about as a group. That was my message straight after the game against Kilmarnock, 'I'm looking forward to the next few days because I'm going to see so much from you'. I thought our response was brilliant. We've been asked a lot of questions there today in that game and I thought we stood up to it and showed real character.

On Beni, what are the qualities that really stand out for you?

I think he has a really good temperament for the game. So he's not phased by what's going on on the pitch. He's very calm. You trust him on the ball. He makes good decisions. He's a very good athlete. He breaks the play out well. He gets around the pitch well. I think he helps the team to play the way that we want to play. He helps others to play their game. I say I've tried to sign him before. So that probably tells you what I think of Beni.

Did you try and sign him for Blackpool or QPR?

Blackpool it was, yeah. When I first went to Blackpool because he was at Everton. I knew him from coming up against him at youth level and stuff. So yeah, I was nearly there. Not quite.

Why were Musa and Boyce left out?

You just have to make some tough decisions really because of the numbers we've got. And when you're looking at the bench you have to decide on the tactical side, who gives you what, and what you think the game might look like. So it's just tactical decisions, yeah.

Are you starting to feel you've got a better idea in your mind of what your strongest XI might be?

Honestly, I don't think it's a game for just XI players now. When you make two or three changes people always say he doesn't know his best XI. I just don't see it like that anymore. I don't think football is like that. Most games, most teams, you look at the teams there'll always be a couple of changes. I think you see a core group of players that have been consistently playing. If you look at our team, with some changes around it, I think that's important. I want there to be some consistency. You've got to give trust to the players as well. They've got to feel like you believe in them. But it's a squad game now and everyone has to be ready to play.

Was it good to get picked up before Thursday in Europe?

Yeah, massive, massive. It was a big three points for us. Particularly in the manner in which it was. Thursday night, we've had a good start in that competition. Six from six. Heidenheim, I've now watched them play a couple of times and they're a good team. German team, efficient, quite pragmatic, and good on the counterattack. They've got some good players obviously but Tynecastle at home on Thursday night, after winning here, should be a very special night.