OPINION

Why Harry Milne is primed to replace James Penrice at Hearts.

When Harry Milne joined Heart of Midlothian earlier this year, he stepped into the one position that was certain in a side looking to break into the Scottish Premiership top six.

The 28-year-old, who signed from Partick Thistle in the Championship, had yet to make a top-flight appearance after a steady rise through the Scottish football pyramid, but he had sparked a lot of interest as a result. He ranked highly when Jamestown’s analytics went up for the first time in January, allowing Hearts to benefit.

Last season, Hearts had little trouble filling the left-back position thanks to James Penrice’s performances, but they lacked depth in case the team’s best-performing player became injured or suspended.

Milne acknowledged in his first press interview after joining Hearts that he was there to be a backup and see what occurred. Penrice went on to be named Hearts’ player of the year and a member of the PFA Scottish Premiership squad for the season. There were times when it appeared that the fullback was being run into the ground while still on a suspension tightrope. Milne’s opportunity was almost probably coming. Penrice played every minute under Neil Critchley, with the exception of the tie at Pittodrie, when he was suspended a few weeks before Milne signed.

From the outside, it appeared that Milne would be there to give him a break at some point, but Penrice persisted until Hearts were safe from relegation after Critchley was dismissed in April.

Milne’s only previous appearance was with Penrice at Celtic Park. Even in that game, from the left side of a back three, Milne proved his ability to cause problems going forward. Milne was not seen again until after Critchley’s departure, in the season’s penultimate game against St Johnstone, which was his first chance to show off his skills in front of his home crowd.

He showed flashes of brilliance, made an important defensive play, and helped to one of Hearts’ goals. He followed that up with a more difficult day at Rugby Park the next week before being replaced. Following Penrice’s sale to AEK Athens, now is the right time for Milne and the club as a whole to begin playing in the Premier Sports Cup’s forthcoming Group E matches under a new coach.

While Penrice’s departure will surely have an impact on the Hearts’ starting lineup, this is the new reality at Tynecastle. In order to transition away from reliance on external benefactors and towards a more sustainable approach, important players will be sold at their prime, perhaps 12 or 18 months into long-term commitments.

So, when AEK Athens decided to pay seven figures for a player that Hearts had signed for free the previous summer, Penrice was sold, despite the fact that Derek McInnes was excited to work with him. It entails either having a substitute in the shape of a new signing or someone already on the squad.

Milne is a hybrid of the two, embodying what Hearts hopes will happen. He is a recent addition, yet he is a part of the team. He was brought in at a time when he was not instantly promoted to the starting XI, but he may do so in the future if the opportunity arises.

Now that it has, Milne is a natural replacement with some similar traits. Not least in moving forward. Ian McCall, one of his former Partick Thistle managers, told the Hearts Standard in an exclusive interview after he signed that “he’s up and down all day”. McCall also called him “all-action” and “a bloody dream”. Now that it has, Milne is a natural replacement with some similar traits. Not least in moving forward.

And, if McInnes wants to play Alexandros Kyziridis or Blair Spittal on the left wing, both of whom cut inside into their stronger foot, he’ll need a left-back with width and, like Penrice, the stamina to cover a large area.

Ian McCall, one of his former Partick Thistle managers, told the Hearts Standard in an exclusive interview after he signed that “he’s up and down all day”.

McCall also called him “all-action” and “a bloody dream”. His fitness increased while training with Hearts veteran Paul Hartley at Cove Rangers. After a “a wee bit different” journey, the Scottish Cup-winning midfielder praised Milne’s ability to take instructions.

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