Harry Milne provides Hearts fitness update after 'frustrating' injury that limited intense playing style
The Hearts star is ready to make an impact this season after an injury-hit start.
Harry Milne insists he is fighting fit and ready for Hearts action after a muscle injury that left him unable to give his all.
The left-back made his return to action off the bench last week in Premiership wins against Hibs away from home and Dundee at Tynecastle after a month out. A knock was felt in July’s Champions League qualification defeat to Sturm Graz, playing the league opener against Aberdeen, before being forced off at half-time in last month’s Europa League away day at Benfica.
Competing through the pain barrier ultimately had consequences as he missed key matches like the triumphant Conference League play-off success over Rapid Vienna that clinched league phase football until Christmas time. Head coach Wouter Vrancken has had problems at left-back with Stephen Kingsley also injured, but ahead of Friday’s Premier Sports Cup quarter-final at Stenhousemuir, Milne says he’s ready to go after feeling fine for weeks.
Harry Milne on recent Hearts injury
He told the Evening News: "It was a bit frustrating. Obviously we came back and I was starting to get into a groove and things like that. Then I took a wee knock against Sturm Graz at home here. Probably should have came off but they just stayed on and it started to aggravate a muscle injury because of that. Then obviously you're going to play a league game and then you go and play Benfica away.
“It's obviously a little bit too much when we got to half-time. After that we read the scans and it's a lot more than we thought. I remember at the time thinking I can't run fully so something's not right. I think a lot of people would have looked at the way I was playing and perhaps expected more.
“I expected more of myself. That was frustrating for me not being able to give my full... a lot of my game is being very intense and a powerful runner. The fact that I wasn't able to give that obviously shows that there was something wrong. But now I feel good.
“Everything's sorted. I've come back into the game and I've helped to make a difference and injected a bit of energy into the team at half-time. I'm just happy to be involved. It was my hamstring. I had a dead leg and everything and I should have came off but I never and then it moved around.”
Who is Hearts captain with Craig Halkett injured?
After such a muscle injury that limited him, it would perhaps be natural for thoughts of it to creep into view when making sprints or lung-bursting runs like Milne often does, but that’s not been the case. He feels at ease with the injury with scan results delaying his return to the fold.
Milne said: “I've felt fine with it for weeks. Your head says something and a scan says another thing. From my perspective I've been ready for weeks. As soon as I've been asked to take training up a notch, hit one milestone or hit the next milestone, it's never even been in my mind for just pushing through. I feel really comfortable with it now.”
Captaincy duties were bestowed upon Milne in the second half against Dundee where a 97th minute winner was netted by Sabah Kerjota during the 2-1 success. Stenhousemuir’s artificial surface awaits on Friday night, but boasting plenty of experience on plastic surfaces from time at Cove Rangers, the 29-year-old is not concerned following his recent injury. Milne is just keen to play his part in important matches like Friday’s bid for a return to Hampden Park, while leadership tasks are something he’s happy to chip in with, amid captain Craig Halkett’s long-term lay-off.
He added: "I'm sure it'll be fine. I've played a long time on astro up at Cove Rangers so I have no problems with it. When you see the way the team handled everything out in Vienna and getting us over the line to get us into some sort of European football. It was magical. When you see the team having these sort of accomplishments, you're desperate to get back into the fold.
“Hopefully I can be back to my best now and involved in all these important games. There's a lot of guys. Our main club captain is out with his Achilles at the minute. It's been chopped about a few guys taking the mantle. There's lots of guys that are able to take on that role and there's a lot of leaders within the team. I'm happy to do it when called upon."