SNS GroupHarry Milne is intent on maximising the opportunity he has been given to establish himself at Hearts following James Penrice’s summer transfer to AEK Athens.
The 28-year-old joined the Jambos from Partick Thistle in January but was restricted to just three appearances in the second half of last season.
But the departure of fellow left-back Penrice – Hearts’ player of the year last term – to Greece has paved the way for Milne to start four of the on-form Tynecastle side’s six competitive matches, including their opening two league games under Derek McInnes.
“I made no secret last year that I wanted to come in and play football,” said Milne. “Obviously James had such an amazing season last season.
“It was always going to be quite tough for me coming into that environment to try and displace him, but obviously he’s got a move now.
“It’s opened a door for me, it’s also opened a door for Stephen Kingsley, who’s still here. But for me personally, to be able to get the nod in the first couple of games and deliver half-decent performances is a good way to go about it.”
Milne made only one appearance under former boss Neil Critchley as Hearts finished in the bottom six last term.
Asked if he ever worried his big move was not working out as planned, he said: “Not really. I think as the season was progressing, you write off last season, the club as well wanted to write off that season as one to forget.
“So for the first six months, for me it was about building in, building relationships within the team and getting myself settled in.
“Through the summer I’ve worked hard and whether James was here or not, I was going to try and push him all the way to get that place.
“It was the same with a lot of the boys, everyone looked after themselves really well over the summer. When we came back, we had that new manager bounce, everyone wanting to impress, so the atmosphere around the place has been really good.
“But I always wanted to come in and make that impact at the start of this season regardless. The fact that the door was open for me anyway was obviously a bonus.”
Milne, who watched from the sidelines as Hearts lost to Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup semi-final in April, hopes to help his side take a step towards returning to Hampden when they visit St Mirren in the Premier Sports Cup second round on Saturday.
“With the squad we’ve built here and the expectations from the fans, everyone at the club wants to be involved in big games,” he said.
“We got to Hampden last year, obviously I couldn’t be involved due to the cup-tied rule, which was disappointing.
“But to see half of Hampden all filled out in that maroon was special for me. We’re two games away from getting a semi-final at Hampden, so that’s got to be the target.”
Hearts are set to have Beni Baningime and Calem Nieuwenhof back after injury but Craig Gordon, Jamie McCart, Finlay Pollock and Kenneth Vargas remain sidelined.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
