James has achieved a goal of his with Greeks

JAMES PENRICE admits missing out on a place in the Conference League playoffs with Hearts by virtue of goals scored fuelled his fire to help AEK Athens put Aberdeen to the sword.

- BY ANTHONY EVANS

The fullback was a key part of the Jambos side that competed in the revamped group stages of the tournament under Steven Naismith and then Neil Critchley last season, only to crash out after being held to a 2-2 draw by Moldovan minnows Petrocub at Tynecastle.

Hearts picked up seven points from their six matches and were not able to claim a playoff space having scored just six times in that run.