Hearts backed in 'exciting' transfer move for attacker as they learn recruitment lesson Celtic failed to heed

Hearts have been praised for shopping local with a recent purchase - something title rivals Celtic have been accused of not doing enough.

Josh McPake has signed a pre-contract with the Premiership leaders after a strong season at St Johnstone. Showing initial promise at Rangers, he’s dropped down the leagues, shining at Stirling Albion and Saints to earn his Tynecastle chance. It comes amid a week where Barney Stewart has been nominated for PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year after swapping university football for prolific form at Falkirk. Celtic have been criticised in recent times for recruitment and club legend Peter Grant says shopping local is nothing to be sorry about.

He believes deals like Hearts’ for the ex Rangers player are worth commending, with two Celtic missed chances showing the talent that can be claimed in Scotland. The pundit said on Go Radio: “Falkirk have done fantastically well but you'd always think that Celtic and Rangers are going to create more chances. That's what you were always led to believe. So Celtic would go, Brian McClair, you know. You watch Motherwell and Andy Walker. You'd go to clubs like that to take their players off them.

What players from Scottish clubs could Celtic have signed?

“There was no shame in that. They were excellent players. I look at it and in recent years you talk about two midfield players I believe could have played for Celtic were Lennon Miller and Lewis Ferguson.

“I think both of them could have played for Celtic. So there's no getting away from that. If you go and ask the question, they don't want to come, fine, no problem. But you've got to ask the question. I definitely think they would have gone on to be Celtic players and made Celtic stronger at a time when you're talking about saying, right, we're thinking of moving Reo Hatate out.

“Okay, well there's Lennon Miller. You know what I'm saying? That's the way you've got to think. That's your job in recruitment. You’ve got to be willing to take that chance. I wrote a name down here, Josh McPake.

What player have Hearts signed ahead of the summer?

“Hearts have just signed him. He's been around the block how long, that young man? I think he's a terrific young player. He's really exciting. I think it's a great signing for Hearts . Because I think he's exciting. I've watched him. But then I think to myself, why is nobody signing him prior to this?

“Because okay, he's done really well at St. Johnstone, but I'm thinking prior to this. I always liked him. I always thought he had something about him. Maybe it was that consistency but that is a winger for you .I'm delighted he's got an opportunity because I've always liked him and I thought that's a great signing for Hearts .

“He's done really well and he's done fantastic at St. Johnstone. He's got the move he wants. Now it's a consistency he's got to show, can he play for somebody now, that people are going to be expecting to challenge him for a league. Next season it may begin in as champions. He's got to try and push himself into the team and play in a team that's expected to go again.”

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