Harry Milne enjoyed a memorable milestone in his career on Saturday, making his long-awaited Hearts debut at none other than Celtic Park.
The 28-year-old full-back, who joined from Partick Thistle in January, finally got his first appearance for the Tynecastle side in front of a packed crowd at one of Scotland’s most iconic stadiums.
Though the match ended in disappointment for the visitors, who were swept aside 3-0 by a clinical Celtic team, it was still a moment Milne will cherish.
“To play in an atmosphere like that against a team like that was special for me,” he told the Celtic Way.
“I just want more days like that – with better results. I remember when I first started with Cove Rangers in the Highland League, playing in places like Fort William, where a couple of farmers come out to watch you!”
“To go from there to this was a special day for me and my family. My girlfriend managed to make it down, but I had family all over the world watching.
“My brother (Stuart) is over in Australia, and my dad (Tim) is going over. They met halfway in Singapore and watched it in an Irish bar.
“It’s just as well they weren’t here! It shows the global appeal of clubs like Celtic and Hearts. There’s always a bar anywhere in the world that is showing it.
“It was a bit bittersweet with the result, but you are not always expected to go there and get the three points. So it was disappointing, but it doesn’t take away too much.”
The result may have dampened the occasion slightly, but for Milne, it marked the next step in a remarkable footballing journey as he now looks to kick on.
Not only was that his first time pulling on a hearts shirt, it was his debut in the Premiership. He’s had a slow rise up the pyramid, but after starring with Kris Doolan’s Thistle, he rightfully earned a move.
The switch came on deadline day, a couple of weeks before the former striker received his books from the Maryhill club.
It’s now former Celtic star Mark Wilson in the dugout there, co-managing with Brian Graham, who is the captain, championship top scorer and women’s team manager. There isn’t a job at that club he can’t do!
