Hearts star's rise from barman to title chaser as Derek McInnes drinks in bonus former boss didn't spot

Derek McInnes’ league leaders face Celtic this weekend in the Premiership as they look to go nine points clear at the top. They have already defeated another of Hartley’s former sides in the Old Firm giants twice this season - but this one will come with added difficulty. Midfielders Cammy Devlin and Beni Baningime plus talisman Lawrence Shankland will miss Sunday’s summit meeting at Tynecastle.

One player who could prove an unorthodox replacement in midfield is Milne, someone current Cove Rangers manager Hartley knows well from time working with him at the League One side. Milne has made his way from work as a barman to top-flight title-chaser via Partick Thistle, playing across his natural position, on the right flank and midfield at times this season. His former boss has revealed chats with Hearts over them making a move for his services last year, having not detected signs of the defender wanting to go pro, or the bonus of his ability at right midfield.

Paul Hartley on Harry Milne

“He’s an unbelievable story,” said Hartley. “He was working in a pub while at university to make extra cash. He was at Cove in 2022, his final season. But he was working in a pub on a Friday night for extra money. We had to stop that, to get him away from the pub because he was on his feet for hours. We would give him the money to cover the shift. I never ever thought he wanted to be a full time pro. Harry was very laid-back, but I always thought the potential was there to go to the next levels.

“I always thought he was just an easy-oasy guy…and he is. Hearts phoned me about him, just to get the lowdown on what he was like. I told them. I said he was a clever boy, a good lad, but I felt there were more levels in him as a player. We tried to show him over at Cove to say he had a chance and obviously Ian McCall took him to Thistle. But he needed that full time environment, to see what a good professional is. Harry’s really kicked on. Derek’s played him on the right. I didn’t have that nous to play him on the right.

“I didn’t see him there. But I could see him playing as a centre back because he’s magnificent in the air, he's very good with the ball at his feet, he can play as a wing back or a winger. But I didn’t see him playing off the right…but it just shows you. He can do a job for the team. He’s had a brilliant season. He’s a polite boy. He’s not a stupid footballer, he’s got brains. He’s a clever boy.”

Hartley knows how much Hearts will miss Devlin’s all-action qualities, as the Australian international has been a key player in midfield for the Premiership leaders this season. Hartley moved to Celtic in 2007 after a memorable four-year stint in maroon and linked up with Scott Brown at Parkhead. The former midfielder hated playing against the maverick breaking through at Hibs but was wowed by his middle of the park prowess when they paired up in Glasgow’s east-end.

Brown went on to become a swashbuckling captain in a trophy-laden era for Celtic and became known for his no-nonsense style, and Devlin’s approach has shades of ‘Broony’ according to Hartley. The Socceroos star might not be everyone’s cup of tea but the Cove boss can also see a comparison with former Hearts midfielder, Julien Brellier, in Devlin.

Paul Hartley on Cammy Devlin

“When I look at Devlin, I would’ve liked to have played against him,” said Hartley. “But I think he’s just one of those characters who would annoy you…like Broony used to. When it was Hibs and Hearts and Scott was in the Hibs team, I hated playing against him. But when he was my team-mate I loved playing with him. So Devlin is that type of player.

“It was a bit like Brellier in my time at Hearts. He would do the dirty stuff and I just went towards the box and scored a few goals. Devlin does the same. People not like what they see sometimes. But he noises up the opposition and their supporters. He looks like a real team player for me.”

While he has long moved into management with the likes of Dundee, Falkirk and Cove Rangers, one of Hartley’s old Hearts and Scotland teammates is still amongst the Tynecastle dressing room. Craig Gordon wrote another chapter in his illustrious career with a jaw-dropping save to clinch a crucial Hearts win at Dundee this month, and while he’s now number two to Alexander Schwolow, Gordon’s ability at the age of 43 is no surprise to Hartley. It comes as a boost for the nation with Steve Clarke to name his Scotland squad for the World Cup later this year.

“He’s inspirational and he’s experienced,” Hartley added. “He’s won titles before, he knows about it. But he’s also got a calmness to his game. Schwolow's had a good season. I would say they’re the two best goalkeepers in Scotland, but to be fair Butland’s a good keeper. A very good goalie. Derek’s got the two best choices for keepers. It’s great also for Scotland for the World Cup that Craig’s been playing.

“I saw him at Dens Park last week and that save… He texted me on the Monday to see if I would come to his testimonial dinner in March. I just said to him ‘How did you pull that save off?’ He said: ‘I don’t know.’ That was something else.”

Paul Hartley was appearing on The Warm-Up, the William Hill SPFL’s weekly preview show. Check out the full episode here.