Hearts star shares Tynecastle joy after new contract reward as Derek McInnes call over position swap revealed
Hearts star shares Tynecastle joy after new contract reward as Derek McInnes call over position swap revealed.
Harry Milne has thanked Hearts for their faith in him as he receives a new contract despite currently playing out of position.
The left-back began this season by impressing as a replacement for James Penrice, who joined AEK Athens.
He is now effectively employed as a right midfielder and was part of the Jambos team that defeated Hibs 1-0 in the Edinburgh derby last Saturday to move to the top of the Premiership. Milne, who signed from Partick Thistle on an 18-month agreement in the January transfer window, was given a new contract until 2027 before Derby Day.
He knew his initial contracts would be short-term following SPFL stints at Cove Rangers and Partick Thistle, but the 28-year-old hopes to repay Hearts’ trust.
Harry Milne on new Hearts contract
Milne told Hearts TV: “I am overjoyed. When I originally started, it was clear that this was a short-term arrangement. There was some danger for the club, as I came from a lower tier. It was understandable, but it was clearly just going to be a short-term deal.
The fact that I was able to make enough of an effect to receive an extension is obviously fantastic for me personally. It clearly demonstrates that I’ve been playing at a high enough level to earn it
“I had a taste of top-flight football at the conclusion of last year. Even though you compete in the lower levels, you do face top-tier clubs in cups and other competitions. You’ve played them previously, so you’re familiar with the player quality, game speed, and other aspects.
Obviously, since I arrived in January, you’re training with these players every day, so you come up to speed and adjust to the calibre that surrounds you.
“The quality that we have in the squad here, the fact that you get to train with these boys every day, obviously lifts your own performance to a level where you feel like you can be included in the team and contribute.”
Why Harry Milne changed position at Hearts
Milne started his time on the right side of midfield in a 2-0 win over Rangers and has been there ever since.
Boss McInnes offered an out if Milne wasn’t interested, but there was a desire to support the manager’s suggestion, saying: “He phoned me on Thursday night. He said, “You can say no if you want.” It’s just an idea I had.
Milne is satisfied with the club’s current situation, which includes an opening-day triumph over Aberdeen and Derby Day delight.
He continued: “There was a huge excitement about the place for me as well, obviously coming from up Aberdeen way. I have a lot of buddies who support Aberdeen.
That game, stepping out in front of the spectators and everyone’s mental state and excitement for the game, was important to me.
We started things off right. Everyone lived off the crowd, and they gave us an extra boost of enthusiasm. Obviously, the gaffer also tries to instill that. If you can bring the Tynecastle folks on board, they can be a huge advantage to us.
They might provide the players with the extra boost they require to experience such moments.
In the Derby, I don’t think anyone had a really terrific game, including myself. I do not think that was one of our best games. Derby games are often like this, with no one playing particularly well.
It comes down to one or two moments. They have one that comes off the crossbar, while we have one that goes in and scores at the end. It was clearly a really special moment. I will remember that for a long time.”
Read more on Straightwinfortoday.com
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.