Harry Milne has been patient since his arrival in February this year for an undisclosed fee after more than two years with Partick Thistle.
Ironically, the former Cove Rangers and Culter defender picked a game against Aberdeen, the place of his birth 28 years ago, to make a big impression, not just on Jambos fans but the nationwide TV audience.
The rugged left-back made major contributions to Hearts two goals, cracked a stunning shot against the crossbar, make several crucial tackles and several telling passes during an eye-catching 90-plus minutes.
One of the sponsors named hard-working Milne as their Man of the Match and he featured on post-match interviews with Sky Sports, not bad for a man who made his debut for the Men in Maroon against Celtic at Parkhead on March 29and then only featured in the last two league games for the Jambos, against St Johnstone on May 14 and Kilmarnock four days later. They were both wins.
Derek McInnes, Hearts’ new head coach, had seen enough pre-season and showed faith in Milne by naming him in his starting line-up against Aberdeen, a tough test for a season opener, even if it was at Tynecastle.
Milne did not let him down. He provided the low cross from the left after 11 minutes which saw Aberdeen skipper, Graeme Shinnie, send the ball into his own net.
Then Milne let fly with a left foot shot from the edge of the box minutes later which smashed against the crossbar and he provided the cross from a free-kick for Stuart Findlay to bravely head home at the far post in a heavily congested six-yard box after 73 minutes.
Findlay had a huge smile on his face as he lay on the pitch after the ball hit the net. VAR had a lengthy look, querying offside, but gave the thumps up, much to the delight of the Jambos faithful in the sell-out crowd of 18.677.
Milne must have been satisfied with his night’s work. McInnes, a former manager of Aberdeen, of course, was pleased. He told the post-match press conference: “Every manager wants to get the first win as soon as possible. We came out strongly and I thought we deserved it.”
Hearts, he felt, could be better, but he could not fault their application, desire and their effort and it could have been 3-0 if VAR had not ruled against a stunning right-foot strike from Jambos skipper, Lawrence Shankland, near the break, the ball flying into the net from the left edge of the penalty box. Aberdeen goalkeeper, Dimitar Mitov, had no chance, but the goal was not given because of an offside in the build-up.
Earlier, the home side came out of the traps strongly, consistently winning second balls, a point made by Dons boss, Jimmy Thelin, in his media briefing. He added: “We have to do better.”
His men did hit the post through big striker Kusini Yengi in the first half and the same player had a sight of goal in the second but failed to hit the target.
It was not Aberdeen’s night. Their bus left the Capital along Calder Road only to see an illuminated sign indicating that the A90 was closed north of Dalmeny.
They have to re-group quickly as the Scottish Cup holders host Celtic, the men they edged on penalties to take the silverware at Hampden Park in Glasgow in May, on Sunday at 12.30. Thelin has work to do.
Hearts visit Dundee United also on Sunday (15.00) but they do so sitting proudly at the top of the 12-strong league. Yes, it is only the first game, but Jambo joy was evident at the final whistle, the place was rocking, and the home fans went home happy.
The Men in Maroon are undoubtedly on a roll. They cruised through their Premier Sports Cup qualifiers and thumped English combine, Sunderland, newly-promoted to the Premiership, 3-0 in Craig Gordon’s Testimonial.
Now, they have beaten Aberdeen, one of the stronger clubs in the division, and did so playing 122 passes into the final third. Aberdeen, who sit at the bottom of the table, totalled 70, and had 17 touches in the opposition box against 27 by Hearts.
Tony Bloom, who said he was thrilled to invest in Hearts – he put in £9.86M for which he has received a 29 per cent stake in non-voting shares – was watching. He must have been encouraged by what he saw, but it is a long season.
Meanwhile, Jambos fans arrived as the ground as the club confirmed the signing of Tomas Bent Magnusson, a 22-year-old who has joined for an undisclosed fee.
The Iceland-born midfielder boasts a league cup winner’s medal from Icelandic football and he has been part of a promotion-winning side.
Earlier this month, Magnusson scored two goals in three games as Value best FC Flora in the UEFA Conference League, first round qualifiers, and free in the first-leg of the next round against Mauna Zalgiris.
Derek McInnes, Hearts’ head coach, said the newcomer will bring a presence in the middle of the pitch with his height and athleticism.
Hearts: Clark, Kent, Halkett, Shankland, Braga, Borchgrevink, Devlin, Spittal, Milne, Findlay, McIntee. Substitutes: Fulton, Kingsley, Steinwender, Forrest, Wilson, Magnusson, Kartum, Kyziridis.
Aberdeen: Mitov, Shinnie, Knoester, Nilsen, Aouchiche, Yengi, Clarkson, Milanovic, Milne, Jensen, Keskinen. Substitutes: Suman, Devlin, Polvara, Boyd, Palaversa, Sokler, Morris, Dorrington, Kjartansson.
Referee: Nick Walsh
