Penrice loving life at Hearts

James Penrice says he loves taking part in big games every few days in a claret shirt and admits European football has had a huge impact on his turnaround at Tynecastle.

The left-back joined Livingston in the summer and has been one of the Jambos’ most consistent players this season, and Penrice himself admits that with a good pre-season under his belt, he is starting to play his “best game”.

Speaking to the media at the Jan Breydel Stadium ahead of Hearts’ UEFA Conference League match against Cercle Brugge, Penrice said:

“I was playing where I was last year and then coming here and playing on big European nights, it was good. I’ve said it before. I think having big games every few days and then playing in Europe was a huge highlight and I’m just happy to be doing it.

“In fact, every match looks different. It will be the same. After this match we will look at it on Sunday, but our focus is on tomorrow’s match, away and getting three points.

“I said this before signing the contract. I can come in and make an impact. I think I managed to do it. I’ve had a pre-season, so I feel like I’m playing my best game and I can keep showing people what I can do.”

The left-back has already endeared himself to Hearts fans, so much so that he joined in the latest chant from the stands…

“I was sent this song a few times yesterday,” Penrice smiled. “So it’s always good. This is probably the first song I have. It’s more for my family, it’s something they can look at and be proud of.

“The fans will be here and they will be loud. Even today the airport was full of Hearts fans. That’s what we want. We want support and we have to go and show that we can go and get a result.

“Every match should look the same. You should want to win. Whether there are 15,000 Hearts fans there or 5,000 Hearts fans, you should want to go and win games. We have the belief and the demand that we can do it.

You can watch James’ entire press conference on Hearts TV.