Harry Milne addresses 'wonderful' Scotland hope as Mr Versatile sets Hearts target in Edinburgh derby

He’d love a shot in navy blue - but all eyes are what those in maroon can achieve at Hearts this season for Harry Milne.

The 29-year-old has been a standout for the Premiership leaders who are embarking on a title challenge against Rangers and Celtic. They face Hibs on Tuesday in a huge Edinburgh derby as they look to bounce back from defeat against St Mirren last time out, just their third defeat of the season, and it’d be no surprise to see Milne across most positions on the pitch. Naturally a left-back, he has often played right midfield this term, and could slot into midfield or a left-sided centre-back if required, possibly one up from his normal position too. Head coach Derek McInnes has not been shy in thrusting responsibilities upon Milne and he’s more than happy to take them on.

He said: “Wherever the manager needs me to play, the management team thinks that I can best affect the game and compliment the team, I'm just happy to be playing. I feel like, for the most part I've done well out there. Shown a different side of quality and shored up that right-hand side when we've needed it in the bigger games, but yeah, I'm just happy to be playing.

Could Harry Milne feature for Scotland?

“He's obviously shown my versatility, moving me around a wee bit, but he's got a lot of confidence, not just in me, but a lot of confidence in a lot of the guys in the squad. You see that confidence, what that brings, and the quality that we've been able to show this season all over the pitch. It comes from the management team giving you that belief to go on and express yourself but also to express yourself with being disciplined and the shape in what we're trying to do here.”

Such has Milne’s form and versatility been that talk of playing for Scotland has come to the fore from some punters. It would represent a stunning rise for Milne who featured in the lower leagues with Cove Rangers and Partick Thistle prior to joining Hearts in 2025, and it’s something he admits would be brilliant to clinch, ahead of the World Cup this June.

He said: “Whether that happens or not, it's not up to me. I just look to keep playing well. It's a very competitive position for the national team so I wouldn't hold my breath. I just keep looking to play well. I suppose versatility does help and it puts an extra tick next to my name. I think there's a few things that need to happen for me to get in but I'm trying to get in on merit, and obviously it would be no secret if that happened, that would be wonderful. I just look to keep playing well, and if it happens, it happens.”

Harry Milne on Hearts vs Hibs

For now, focus is on the derby, which could see Hearts extend their lead at the top depending on results for Rangers and Celtic this coming midweek. Hearts won the first clash with Hibs thanks to a dramatic Craig Halkett header but lost last time out at Easter Road. With Rangers to come at Ibrox afterwards, Milne acknowledges it’s a big week in their title quest, but heroes are sitting in wait inside the Hearts dressing room. He added: “I've not really been one who gets nervous over big games or anything like that. I more just look forward to them.

“You want to play well in every game, but if you can play well in the big games you can be the one to make a difference and get your team over the line. I think we've got a team where everybody wants to be that guy, the one who gets us over the line in these big games and is the one that makes the difference.

"I think that can only be a good thing. So everyone seems to be up for these games more than they are nervous. I think you'd be lying if you said it wasn't a big week. When you look at the games in isolation, you've got a derby, which is massive. And then you've got a game with a team that's three points behind you as well. They're massive games on their own, so the fact they're next to each other makes it a big week.

"But I don't think there's any added pressure. I think there's pressure in those games anyway. You need to embrace that pressure and use that adrenaline to push you forward. The manager and his backroom team will have us ready for the game. They'll set us up in the way that they think is best to win the game. At the end of the day, it's up to us to go and do the business. You've got to embrace it. The first one at Tynecastle was magical. Halks getting that goal in the last minute. The noise around Tynecastle that night was pretty incredible. We'll want more of the same on Tuesday. It's going to be a big atmosphere under the lights."