Hearts get a taster of how signing will be treated as current boss sticks up for league's 'most fouled player'
The St Johnstone boss has called for his winger to be given more ‘protection’ in the Scottish Championship.
Simo Valakari has spoken out about the treatment Josh McPake gets on the pitch as the Championship’s most fouled player.
McPake, who will sign for Hearts at the end of the season, has been a standout performer in the second tier this season in a St Johnstone side that currently sit eight points clear at the top of the table, however the strong form of the tricky winger has led him to be ‘targeted’ by defenders according to his current gaffer. The soon-to-be Hearts man is the most fouled player in the Scottish Championship by some margin.
Manager Valakari would like to see his star man being given a bit more protection from the referees, however, equally doesn’t want to try and put pressure on them. But after McPake was hacked down to the ground multiple times at Greenock Morton in last weekend’s 2-0 win and substituted as a result, the Finn vented his frustration at McPake’s treatment.
Valakari on McPake treatment
After the match Valakari told The Courier: “Josh’s body is taking a battering in every match. He’s the most targeted player I have managed. The opponent can kick him almost as much as they want. He is a great one vs one player so the only way to stop him is going physical with him. His body is used to taking it. But, of course, he needs the protection of the referees as well. Sometimes I feel it’s not there. Because it’s Josh McPake, and he’s so strong, the opponent can hit him as hard as they want.
“They can stamp on his toes, they can pull him, they can do everything. He needs to get a fair game from the officials. He is the most fouled player in the league. If every foul was given, the numbers would be unbelievable! I understand Josh’s frustration at times. It comes to me – I’ve been quiet to do that. But then he’s looking at me: ‘Gaffer, why are you not protecting me’. He is totally right. That’s why I need to start talking with the referees.
“I don’t like that because I always feel there must be respect and fairness that comes from everyone doing their best. But it’s unbelievable what is happening to Josh and how much he’s being smashed. People think how he plays comes freely and cheap. But he spends a lot of time recovering, thinking about what he’s eating. Where he is now has come from a lot of hard work. After the match, you look at his legs bleeding because people are kicking him.”
McPake dip in form not worrying manager
The harsh treatment McPake has been accustomed to in the Championship could be a sign of things to come when he joins Hearts in the summer. The tricky winger signed a Gorgie pre-contract agreement in January which will keep him at the club until 2029. Valakari added that McPake has undergone his own unique training regime as a result of being kicked from pillar to post, something Derek McInnes may also be forced to consider for next season.
The Saints boss continued: “Josh needs to be light in a physical weight rather than heavier because he has to run past people. He needs to be lighter but have this power and strength. It’s a balancing act how much gym work he will do. It’s a delicate programme. He’s strong enough but light enough to play his way. And he has this strength inside him.”
McPake remains the top scorer in the Championship with his 14 goals in 26 appearances, however, for the first time this season, he has gone three matches without troubling the scoresheet, but Valakari isn’t worried going into the season run-in. He added: “This Championship season is so long. It’s very hard to keep your level up throughout. As always, you can say there have been one or two games when he’s not been at his best. But his best has been so good that even when not at his best, he’s still been very good and dangerous for us.”