James Penrice: Hearts will be quietly confident they can mount a title challenge

James Penrice believes his old Hearts team-mates will be quietly confident that they can mount a title challenge – even if they are not saying so publicly.

The left-back was a standout in a Jambos side that underperformed last year, finishing seventh in the William Hill Premiership, before earning his move to AEK Athens in the summer.

Penrice has watched from afar as several of his former colleagues have helped Hearts move five points clear of Celtic at the top of the table, and he revealed that midfielder Beni Baningime sent him a message on Tuesday night joking “look what happens when you leave”.

Asked at a press conference – ahead of AEK’s Conference League meeting with Aberdeen in Athens – if his old team could become the first side outside the Old Firm to win the Scottish top flight since 1985, the 26-year-old said: “I don’t see why not.

“It’s obviously something that’s not happened in Scottish football for a while, but me knowing what’s in the dressing room there, they’ll be more than up for it.

“They probably won’t say they’re in a title challenge now, but you look at the quality that they’ve brought in, the players that are performing now at such a high level, so definitely.

“It’s something that we’re not used to in Scottish football, but hopefully they do it.

“They’ve got a massive game on Sunday (at home to Celtic) and I’m wishing them all the best for that.”