Cove Rangers boss Paul Hartley backs Harry Milne for Scotland

Cove Rangers boss Paul Hartley insists Harry Milne has earned the chance to represent Scotland.

The Hearts left back is being touted for his first international call-up following a sterling campaign for the Premiership leaders.

Milne came through the ranks at Cove, helping the club rise from the Highland League to the Scottish Championship before moving on to Partick Thistle and his current club.

His displays for Derek McInnes’ league leaders have put him in the mix for a call-up to the national team and with Steve Clarke’s side due to face Japan and Ivory Coast next month Hartley believes his former player is worthy of consideration.

The Cove manager said: “I think he’s got a chance, his form’s been exceptional. Tell me who is a better left back in the league at this moment in time?

“When you go to Hearts, you have to handle the expectation when you go there as a player. I know what it’s like. I was there for four years.

“It’s a hard place to play but the fans love him there and I hear them singing his name.

“It’s not just setting up goals, it’s his overall play. He’s just been a revelation and I’m really pleased for him.

“A lot of people are raving about Harry these days and rightly so as he has been phenomenal this season.”

‘Milne’s one of the players of the year in Scotland’

Milne’s rise to prominence has been one of the highlights of a remarkable campaign for the Jambos, but Hartley is not surprised to see Milne being touted for international recognition.

The desire and drive was evident in his time at Balmoral Stadium and the Cove boss hopes Aberdonian Milne can cap a memorable season on a personal level by representing his country.

Hartley said: “I like to see players go on and play as high as they can and Harry’s doing that. He’s not a youngster, he’s 29, but I was 28 when I got my first cap.

“He can only do what he’s doing just now, but I think he’s got a chance to be in the squad – and I hope he does make it. He deserves it.

“If you think about where he’s come from to where he is now, playing for the team at the top of the league, it’s testament to the boy.

“We’re proud to have played a part in his development but he’s done a lot it himself.

“I worked with him for three years of his time with us and tried to guide him a bit but it was obvious he was a good professional with good habits.

“When the chance came to go to Partick we couldn’t stop him, but he’s continued to flourish. He’s been one of the players of the year in Scotland so far this season and he must have a chance of being in the squad.”

Cove aiming to seize their chance to close the gap

While Milne chases the Premiership title with Hearts his former club are looking to close the gap on the teams above them in League One.

Cove have moved from ninth to eighth place in League One without kicking a ball after Hamilton Accies received a sx point deduction following an SPFL disciplinary tribunal.

Hartley’s side take on seventh-place East Fife this weekend in what could be a crucial weekend.

He said: “It’s a real six-pointer and we’ve been focused for a while on trying to close the gap on the teams above us.

“We know what we need to do. We’ve got 13 games left and it’s in our own hands, but we need to chip away at teams.

“I feel we’ve been doing that a wee bit. We’ve been playing well. I think we should have probably taken maximum points in the last two games.

“This is a chance for us to do that but the game against East Fife have been tough for us.

“I know they’re on a bit of a tough run. But we’ve all been through it this year. We just need to find a way of winning this game on Saturday.”

[Source: Press and Journal]