This will be the fight of our lives

Critchley tells stuttering Jambos they need to show mettle... but sacked boss won't be around

- MOIRA GORDON

NEIL CRITCHLEY finally saw the axe fall after a rotten spell as Hearts boss ended with a disastrous home defeat.

A first-half Simon Murray strike grabbed Dundee a vital win that moved them to 10th in the table, ahead of both Ross County and St Johnstone.

The result leaves the Jambos just five points from the bottom spot with four games left - a situation the Tynecastle hierachy felt left them with no choice but to act in a desperate bid to secure survival.

Englishman Critchley lasted just six months in charge at Hearts, having taken the reins in October with the club languishing at the bottom of the table.

The 46-year-old managed to steer the Gorgie outfit 11 points clear of the relegation zone but failed to secure a top-six finish.

A Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Aberdeen last week had already cranked up the pressure on Critchley but going four games without scoring was the final straw.