David Martindale has given Hearts full-back James Penrice a glowing appraisal after seeing him leave Livingston in the summer.
Penrice was a regular on the left side of Livi’s defence for three seasons after signing from Partick Thistle in 2021.
He played 108 games for the West Lothian outfit which included a loan spell in 2017/18 and impressed last season despite Livingston’s relegation to the Championship.
Penrice’s form didn’t go unnoticed and former Hearts boss Steven Naismith swooped to sign him on a free transfer after his Livi contract expired.
The 25-year-old has kicked on and is now established as the undisputed first choice left-back for the Jambos.
He impressed in Neil Critchley’s first game as Hearts boss against St Mirren and it got Martindale talking about Penrice’s qualities as a player on the latest Open Goal podcast.
Martindale hails Hearts left-back James Penrice
The conversation began when host Si Ferry asked former Hearts midfielder Andy Halliday how Critchley adopted both Yan Dhanda and Blair Spittal from the start against the Buddies:
Halliday: “Well, they played out wide, both of them. They obviously came inside the pitch and let the two full-backs bomb on, that’s where the second goal comes from.
Martindale: “To be fair, the two full-backs have great legs, wee Penners has great legs.
Halliday: “I’ve not watched a lot of Hearts but apparently he’s done really well.”
Martindale: “I knew he would. Great legs, technically very, very good, competes in the air, good in his 1v1 duels and doesn’t mind a tackle. He’s got all of those attributes.”
Is Penrice similar to Aberdeen’s Nicky Devlin?
Former Hibs midfielder Marvin Bartley who worked under Martindale at Livingston was also on the panel and asked his former boss if Penrice was similar to Nicky Devlin.
Devlin is now a regular starring for Aberdeen but moved to Pittodrie from Livi after the best part of four years with Martindale as his manager.
He also recently earned his debut for Scotland as Martindale compared Penrice and Devlin.
He said: “He’s probably a wee bit more technical than Nicky. I think Nicky’s a wee bit more powerful with his running power, Penners is a wee bit more athletic with his agility.
“Penners was a striker, remember? He came through Livingston’s academy as a striker so he’s got good feet. He’s a good player.”