Attacker set Hearts challenge amid Jambos transfer interest as he responds to speculation in 'best way'
The forward is a target of Hearts’ on a pre contract basis as January’s transfer window looms.
Josh McPake has been set a challenge if his move to Hearts arrives at fruition - as he responds to speculation in style.
The winger is wanted by the Premiership leaders on a pre-contract amid a top season so far in the Championship for St Johnstone. McPake came through the ranks at Rangers and after multiple loans, dropped into the lower leagues with Stirling Albion, impressing at Forthbank and earning a chance at Saints.
He’s now netted 14 times across all competitions this season and Darren Young, Clyde manager and the boss at Stirling Albion when the former Rangers youngster joined, is delighted to see him shine. The former Aberdeen player reckons McPake would need to go up another gear to give himself a chance of Hearts success and staying with St Johnstone until the summer wouldn’t be the worst outcome.
Josh McPake to Hearts transfer assessed
Young told the Sunday Post: “Josh deserves it for how hard he's worked, how well he's played and where he's come back from. If that move goes through, it would be amazing. Hearts are flying so Josh is going to need to step up another level.
“He definitely has the ability to do that. There's the Scotland situation, too, and, if he goes to Hearts and has a good few months, then who knows? But, first and foremost, he has to be producing goals and assists week in, week out. Staying at St Johnstone until the end of the campaign gets him a run at it for the full season. That might he good for him - I don't think he'll let it get to him."
Saints boss Valakari was full of praise for McPake after his big moment in a weekend thumping of Morton. The winger scored a low blast from range in the 5-0 thumping and created an assist, Valakari saying: “The best way to do your talking is to perform on the field. Josh did that. I've really liked what I've seen from him since all this Hearts talk began.
Simo Valakari on St Johnstone 5-0 Greenock Morton
“It's a strength of our team that both those boys are getting goals. They are coming from midfield as well - that's another one for Sam Stanton. Our defenders know that, if they do their job, boys in front of them will always create something. It was a big team effort and a pleasing afternoon.
“The intensity was there from us throughout. We were always focused on the next action. here were some beautiful team goals and the clean sheet gave us a foundation for them.
"We have made life difficult for ourselves to see a game out at times this season. I mentioned Queen's Park and so did the boys. It was in the back of our minds. We were relentless and ruthless in our attitude as a unit and individuals. It was probably the most clinical we've been this season."