Hearts ace turns role model for Premiership rival as he develops two key skills from Jambos star
The Premiership ace learned plenty alongside a current Hearts man.
A Premiership rival of Hearts admits one Jambo proved an excellent role model to learn from.
Kai Fotheringham scored for St Johnstone in their 2-1 Premiership success over Dundee at the weekend. He was a teammate of Hearts winger Josh McPake last season as the Scotland international who has thrived in maroon since making a summer move to Tynecastle inspired Championship title glory.
His departure has opened up more opportunities for the ex-Dundee United player, but it wasn’t all bad playing behind McPake, as he developed physical and technical skills. Fotheringham said: “I'd like to think the boys would tell you I trained really well last year. But I was unlucky I had a guy in front of me who is now in the Scotland squad!
How did Josh McPake get on in time at St Johnstone?
"At that point you're thinking, 'What can you do?'. I actually learned a lot from Josh in terms of using my body better and keeping the ball. There were times last season I was a bit slack. You saw against Dundee how important it is for us to keep the ball.
“That's how we created our chances. I came back in pre-season hungry to get in the team. I thought I did well in pre-season and scored the winner against Kilmarnock. At that point I thought that was me back in, but not starting hasn't stopped me working hard. The competition for places is very, very high.
"We've got so many quality players who don't even come on. There are players sitting in the stand who you feel really sorry for. I'm enjoying my football now and I just want to come back off the international break that's coming up and keep making my mark."
Steven Pressley on St Johnstone 2-1 Dundee
Dundee meanwhile, under the management of ex-Tynecastle skipper Steven Pressley, are next up for Hearts after losing in Perth. Pressley said: “Over the course of the 90 minutes I think St Johnstone deserved the three points. The players have received a lot of plaudits over this period and rightly so but we were just a little bit under par , not quite at our levels. Some days you need to take your medicine and today was one of those days.
"We base a lot of our performances around the basics of the game and we were maybe just a little bit below par in those elements, that's the disappointing factor. We were a little bit loose in possession, turned things over on too many occasions. I can't complain too much because this group of players have been terrific and sometimes you have to take your medicine and respond, that's what this group do."