Hearts target praised after using same transfer trick as Scotland duo with 'classic example' proving one thing
The Jambos have transfer interest in the star performing strongly at St Johnstone.
His path to Hearts transfer interest has been far from straight forward - but a Scotland duo show that’s no bad thing.
Josh McPake is wanted by the Jambos on a pre-contract amid strong form in the Championship with St Johnstone. The winger started his career at Rangers and after six separate loans, made a permanent exit from Ibrox after showing initial promise while Steven Gerrard was gaffer. He dropped down to Stirling Albion to rebuild stock, earning a chance at St Johnstone, and now Hearts have set their sights on him.
Mark Hateley, a Rangers hero and former AC Milan star, was aware of McPake from time at Ibrox and reckons there are some key inspirations for him. Scotland international Lewis Ferguson evaded the Rangers academy in his youth and earned his breakthrough at Hamilton and now stars with Serie A side Bologna, while international teammate Scott McTominay is now an Italian title winner at Napoli, after performances at Manchester United were previously lamented. Both prove to Hateley that there’s no right or wrong way to a big move for players like McPake.
Mark Hateley on possible Hearts transfer
He told Casino Beats: "Critical eyes will always go to the data but you can't see in a 15-year-old... data doesn't tell you if a 15-year-old is going to be a great player. If a player that's played at a high level goes and looks at a 15-year-old, he'll go 'there's your player right there' and he'll pick it out of a team of 22.
“The way we're going right now, data analytics and what have you, all data collection, it's good stuff but you still need eyes on for me. Lewis Ferguson, a classic example, comes through Rangers academy, goes to play for Hamilton, then goes to Aberdeen and now is playing in Bologna. Scott McTominay is the same at Manchester United. It's all the players that you want to see excel at the highest level as young players but they've had to go and travel to find that level."
Hateley also watched Hearts down Rangers 2-1 last weekend in the Premiership to leave the Jambos in first place 12 points clear of the Light Blues in fourth. Hateley added: "I think we can learn a lot from both teams. I think you can say that Rangers are getting there but not there yet and you can say Hearts are definitely a title challenger.
Hearts vs Rangers verdict
“Whether they can stay the distance, when you get in after that Christmas period where the games are coming fast and furious, that's another test for them which they have not had in a long, long time.
“They are definitely title contenders. Rangers, whether they're title contenders, that will be decided after the January window I would say. If Danny Rohl can keep getting the results that he's got since he's been here...
“Rangers looked good at moments in the game for periods, 15, 20 minutes. First half, Rangers got to the goal which was disallowed and then after that sort of lost rhythm a little bit. I think it'll be a three-horse race right now.”