Hearts star backed to reach 'top level' amid soaring confidence that's rising through the roof
The former Scotland star has been having his say on a Hearts star called into national team contention.
Alan Hutton believes Hearts winger Josh McPake is a great example for others to follow after being named in the Scotland squad for September and October matches.
The former national team right-back watched McPake come through the ranks at ex-side Rangers before initial promise eventually ended with several loans and release. He dropped down the divisions to Stirling Albion, signing for St Johnstone, where it wasn’t all plain-sailing prior to inspiring their Championship title bid last season.
That earned a shot at Hearts and form early doors at Tynecastle has promoted head coach Sebastien Pocognoli to call upon him for four Nations League matches versus Slovenia, North Macedonia and Switzerland. Hutton feels it’s a brilliant story in perseverance where the likes of McPake and Robbie Ure - who recently signed for Sevilla in La Liga having also left Rangers following limited opportunities - are shining examples.
How much does Josh McPake deserve his Scotland call-up?
He said: "I think it's a brilliant story. I think when he came through at Rangers there was a lot of excitement and hype round about him, didn't quite transpire that way, but sometimes you need to take a step back to go forward. St Johnstone last season, I thought he was excellent, watched him play just with that confidence that you knew that he had and then taking a step again.
“There's always going to be question marks after everything Hearts done last season, can he get to that level, what's he going to be like, can he have the same kind of impact that he did at St Johnstone, and he's definitely done that. I've seen him a number of times live and I think his ability to drive with the ball to make things happen, go right or left, his confidence is just going through the roof and I think that's why we're seeing the best of him.
“So to get that recognition and then the Scotland squad I think takes his confidence to another level and it's just about being consistent with it. He has been until now but it's continuing for the rest of the season, and if he does that, I think he'll reach a top level.
“How many times do we see it that players don't get an opportunity at say a Rangers, or a Celtic, or a Hearts, or whatever it may be and they move on, and then the penny drops and everything comes together and they're a top player, exciting. They're moving for decent money, they're now in the Scotland squad, so it's kind of what could have been.
“The likes of Robbie Ure, if he stayed another year or so, if there was some sort of loan agreement or move that he could have made to another team to then kick on. Overall I'm happy for them, they've taken a huge step in their career to leave the likes of Rangers to go and get first team football. Ultimately that's what you want to see but I think things do need to change in terms of young prospects coming through. We need a better pathway for them to reach the level instead of going to say Europe and then kicking on. Tt's lovely to see them in the squad and doing really well.”
Alan Hutton was speakin on behalf of NetBet Sport | 18+ | Gamble Responsibly