The defender believes the Jambos are in with a real shout of making their title dream a reality
15:10, 22 Oct 2025Updated 19:33, 22 Oct 2025
James Penrice of AEK Athens(Image: Stefanos Kyriazis/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
James Penrice sees no reason why Hearts can’t sustain their title challenge and reckons the players are starting to believe it themselves, writes Anthony Evans in Athens.
The full back spent just one season with the Jambos before landing a big £2million move to AEK Athens last summer off the back of some stellar displays in the capital.
Derek McInnes‘ team will have the chance to open up an eight point lead over Celtic at the top of the table when the Hoops make the trip to Tynecastle on Sunday.
Penrice has been impressed with the new additions in Gorgie and believes they are seriously in with a chance of doing the unthinkable.
He said: “I don’t see why not. It’s obviously not something that’s happened in Scottish football for a while, but me knowing what’s in the dressing-room there they’ll be more than up for it.
“But they probably won’t say, they won’t say they’re in a title challenge the now. But if you look at the quality they’ve brought in, they have players performing at such a high level.
“Sunday is massive, I think, but you never know. It’s something we’re not used to in Scottish football, but hopefully they do.
“Hearts have been brilliant this season. Beni (Baningime) texted me last night to say ‘look what happens when you leave’.
“They have been excellent, I’ve been watching the games when I can. They have a massive game on Sunday and I wish them the best in that.”
The former Livingston defender will be reacquainted with old foes Aberdeen in the Conference League on Thursday night and says he has given his new teammates the lowdown on the Dons.
He added: “I’ve said numerous times not to disrespect or anything because the league position doesn’t tell you everything.
“Watch the games, they are very comfortable in games, create chances and know how to defend.
“They (Aberdeen) are a team who are maybe not in the best moment at the minute but they more than have the quality to come here and hurt us so we have to be wary of that.
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“I’ve tried to give everyone the best insight possible. They have signed a lot of players this summer so there has been a big turnaround, but I still know the players there.
“It’s not like a league game in Scotland, it’s Europe, one game and it will be very different.
“I have tried to give them the best insight possible, we will be prepared as best as possible to go out for three points.”
Penrice hopes he can catch the eye of Scotland boss Steve Clarke with his performances in the Greek capital.
“Obviously it’s a very difficult position to get yourself into with the players we have in the Scotland set-up”, he admitted.
“The reason why I came here to a massive club like this was to put myself closer.
“I wanted it at Hearts but I’ve come here and hopefully coming to this club helps my chances of being capped.”