James Penrice believes his old Hearts team-mates will be quietly confident that they can mount a title challenge – even if they are not saying so publicly.
The left-back was a standout in a Jambos side that underperformed last year, finishing seventh in the William Hill Premiership, before earning his move to AEK Athens in the summer.
Penrice has watched from afar as several of his former colleagues have helped Hearts move five points clear of Celtic at the top of the table, and he revealed that midfielder Beni Baningime sent him a message on Tuesday night joking “look what happens when you leave”.
Asked at a press conference – ahead of AEK’s Conference League meeting with Aberdeen in Athens – if his old team could become the first side outside the Old Firm to win the Scottish top fligh