The Jambos’ full back filled the gap left by his fellow Partick Thistle alumni this season after his £2 million transfer to AEK Athens in the summer.

Hearts head coach Derek McInnes light heartedly described Harry Milne as ‘the only person not disappointed James Penrice was sold’ when praising the impressive left back.

The 29-year old has been one of the standout players for the Jambos this season with his performances helping them to where they are at the top of the Scottish Premiership table. It comes after finally being given a chance to shine in the first team at Tynecastle when his fellow Partick Thistle alumni moved to AEK Athens for £2 million last summer.

Mile has now established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet under McInnes with the former Cove Rangers defender going from strength to strength. His form has been noticeable enough that there are growing calls for him to be a part of Steve Clarke’s next Scotland national team squad.

‘Everything we’d hoped he would be’ - Hearts boss Derek McInnes praises impact of Harry Milne this season

“He's really responded, the only person not disappointed when James Penrice was sold was Harry,” joked McInnes. “We took comfort from that because I worked with James and Harry for a period of a few weeks and you can see there didn't seem a lot between them.

“James obviously came off the back of a strong season with the club and the club got good money in for him. But there was no thoughts with Stephen Kingsley and Harry Milne as two full-backs. And Harry has been terrific.

“Everything we'd hoped he would be, to be honest. He's played in a few positions. I think he's showed his versatility. He's just got a real determination. He's a wee bit old school. I don't think he really plays with any real plans.

“Some full-backs plot their way up the pitch and pass. Harry's just what you see. You see him, he's kind of in your face.

“I like a full-back who wants to stop his direct opponent. He sees that as really important as it should be for full-backs to stop your wide player having an impact in the game.

“Sometimes then your best port of call for defending is by your attacking. And he's difficult to play against because he's so willing. He's got good quality, as we've seen the other night. I think he's thriving on that wee bit of extra exposure and a wee bit of recognition that he's doing well.

“This is a boy who's worked really hard to get to where he is now at 28 years of age. He's done it the hard way, to be honest. I think he's enjoying life being a key player at a strong team.”

Key Hearts player Milne now entering final 18 months of Tynecastle contract

It’s fair to say that extending Milne’s contract could become a priority for Hearts sooner rather than later. The left back is now in the final 18 months of his current deal.

“I did joke with him the other week. I said, you signed that contract too early,” added McInnes. “Obviously he wanted to work with key players. I still think there's improvement in Harry. His pathway's a bit unusual.

“He's not come through an academy set-up. He went part-time, he was at Cove for ages. He was a youngster at Aberdeen in the academy. He's kind of went round the houses a wee bit. He went full-time at Partick. A lot of clubs looked at him.

“I had looked at him when I was at Kilmarnock, but we actually had full-back signed. And I think he would have done absolutely brilliant for us at Kilmarnock. Partick were the ones who ended up getting a few injuries, which can sometimes happen going from part-time to full-time training.

“I remember speaking to Archie about him. They just couldn’t keep him fit, because he kept breaking down. And we do think that was to do with a lot of the full-time training. He's come through that period. Now he gets his move to Hearts, and a brilliant signing for the club. A great bit of business.

“He's validated everything, and a bit more probably. He looks knackered after five minutes, but he always seems to keep going.

“I must ask him about ten times a game, are you alright? Because he looks the most unalright guy in the world sometimes on the pitch. He's just got that style. I love his determination. He trains how he plays. He proper tackles in training sometimes.

“You kind of watch with your eyes closed sometimes, but that's just the way he is and he's enjoying life, and he should be really pleased with his work this season.

“It's a good story for players who maybe don't get to where they want to get to early on, and they lose a bit of heart, confidence, faith, and maybe doubt themselves, and maybe go down a different route. He's worked hard to get to where he's got to, and there's plenty more in him.”

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