James Penrice defying Hearts expectations as 'backup' reveals what Neil Critchley just won't stand for

The former Livingston left back is in the form of his life after not being seen as a starter on arrival at Tynecastle

James Penrice admits he's in the form of his life at Hearts after blowing away everyone else's expectations and showing he's no back up.

When the Jambos struck a deal to sign the left back from Livingston as a pre-contract last summer, he was seen as the least exciting in the eyes of many fans, with the captures of Blair Spittal and Yan Dhanda overshadowing him in the raiding domestic rivals stakes.

But former Ross County captain Dhanda has been confined to the bench for most of Neil Critchley's tenure and while Spittal has contributed - not to mention striking up a great understanding with Penrice - the defender has established himself as by far and away the best addition.

“I’m loving it. It's been a good step up so it's been brilliant. I think it's probably been the fittest I've been in my career as well," he told Open Goal.

"I've always kind of had wee niggles and stuff like that and I don't really remember having a good run of form like I've had this season.

“I was kind of brought in to be the back-up. Nobody really expected anything from me when I was joining.

“A lot of people were saying, ‘why has he gone to Hearts? I just saw it as an opportunity to go and kick on and I think I've done that this season.

“I just wanted to go in and just have a steady first year, just get used to the level, get used to the place - the size of the club.

“But it was probably best I just got flung right in because before the Rangers game I had only played 60 minutes in pre-season.

“I got flung right in for 90 minutes and I've kind of not looked back and it's been brilliant.”

As for Crtichley, he wasn't the boss that signed Penrice, but he is loving life under the former Liverpool youth coach.

"He's been brilliant with me.," Penrice added. "Personally, he's kind of given me a free role on the left with Spitts (Blair Spittal). It's been a good partnership and hopefully it continues.

“Every training session is to do with the game, it's all geared towards the Saturday. Every possession you do, every passing drill you do, it's all geared towards Saturday's game.

“He can raise his voice and he can lose it a bit but he's very calm.

"I've very much enjoyed it since he's come in.

“He doesn't like boys not running, he likes boys to run - the effort needs to be 100% or you're not going to play.”