Craig Wighton: Dundee boss James McPake won't rule out move for Hearts forward

James McPake hasn't ruled out a move for out-of-favour Hearts forward Craig Wighton, but admits talk of the 22-year-old returning to his boyhood club is unsurprising.

The Evening News reported yesterday that the former Scotland Under-21 international has been training with the Tynecastle side's reserve team along with Jake Mulraney after failing to impress new manager Daniel Stendel.

Speaking to The Courier, McPake revealed a second spell at Dens Park for Wighton had been mooted in the summer.

He added: "I know his character and his talent; I loved working with Wighty when he was here.

"He's training with the reserves at Hearts but there's nothing happening with that."

Asked if things could change, former Hibs captain McPake replied: "I'm genuinely not sure.

"He got put to us at the start of the season. He's one we're aware of, and one we know very well but he's a Hearts player at the minute."

McPake, whose side currently sit in fourth place in the Scottish Championship, understands there will be links over the course of the transfer window that could prompt the Dark Blues to deviate from the club's plans.

"When players like that pop up they turn your head but we don't want to react to every player," he explained.

"We're working as a club on a plan. But if good players become available, that plan can be put to the side at times."

Wighton was signed for an undisclosed fee by former Hearts boss Craig Levein in August 2018, but has failed to find the net in 19 appearances in maroon.