Tynecastle winger is in the new-look squad for UEFA Nations League ties

One word punctuates Josh McPake’s conversation about his Scotland call-up: “Buzzing.” He deserves international recognition after a sterling start to life at Hearts, but also for the determination to rebuild his career after leaving Rangers. This is no luxury wide player. At 25, McPake is a driven and motivated individual who has seized an opportunity at Tynecastle Park and now intends doing likewise at Hampden Park.

Loan spells at Morton, Harrogate Town, Morecambe, Tranmere Rovers and Queen’s Park preceded his permanent switch from Ibrox to Stirling Albion in 2024. Four months later, he joined St Johnstone and then agreed a pre-contract deal with Hearts earlier this year. He even had to fight for a place in Wouter Vrancken’s team after being left out of the Champions League squad, but McPake has proven himself adept at pushing his way up the ranking.

Two goals and six assists in 10 Hearts appearances have already endeared him to supporters. Pocognoli gave him a maiden international call-up after a video call the winger will never forget. “I got a text from the Scotland manager, just asking for a call whenever I was free,” explained McPake. “I knew I was going to get a text from him. His name was at the bottom of that so I knew it was him. I said: ‘Yeah I'm free - free whenever.’ I got that call and I was absolutely buzzing to be fair. I phoned my family straight away.

“He was good on the call with me and I think he could tell I was buzzing with it. That was on Monday night. The conversation is between me and him, I don't want to give away too much, but he was brilliant on the phone and I think he could tell I was buzzing about it, just because of my face when he told me. I'm looking to go there and give a good account of myself, just like I do anywhere I go. I'm really looking forward to it to hopefully show what I can do.

“I’ve actually never thought it was realistic. I didn't really think about that to be fair, I was just focusing on doing what I can do for Hearts. Obviously I'm still new so that wasn't really in any of my thoughts. It was more: ‘If you do well for Hearts, things could maybe come up.’ That was kind of in the back of my mind. It wasn't really one of my first things. I think it's been a mad few years to say the least, but I've absolutely loved it. I’ve loved the journey and I feel like I don't want to stop here. I think I've still got more to give. I’m still working hard, and I will continue to work hard and continue to show what I can do.”

McPake’s desire to further his career remains insatiable as he looks to build on a prosperous start in Edinburgh. “I'm still very hungry,” he admitted. “Despite where I've come from, I'm still hungry for more. At the same time, you try not to look too far ahead and focus on the here and now. That's what I'm doing at the moment. Even though I know I'm in the Scotland squad, and I know I'll be away, I just want to focus on my time right now with Hearts.”

He is immensely proud of his footballing journey from Rangers, down to England’s lower divisions, through the third and second tier in Scotland and, now, to international level. “I wouldn't change my journey for anything, to be honest with you,” he stressed. “I think I had to come through that to get to where I'm at now, just because there were a lot of ups and downs, maybe more downs than ups at that stage of my career. Obviously I can only speak for myself, I feel like I needed that - going down the levels and showing what you're all about, and then that grind to get back up,

“I loved that, just that thing about myself, trying to look forward to something, try and grind myself back up and work really hard every day. I think a lot gets said in this country about big clubs and their pathway from youth football, and that's not for me to dispute or anything like that. I would let people that know that better dispute stuff.

“I feel like I had to do that, just for my own journey, I think I've spoken about that loads of times, about the disappointments and the setbacks. I know every boy is not the same, I think some boys maybe wouldn't do what I've done, and maybe would've gone the opposite way. For me, I feel like I had to come through that to get to where I am. I feel like if you want something enough, you work hard to get it, that's what I try and do. I'd hope other boys could maybe look at Robbie [Ure], or even Calvin [Miller], to try and get something to look forward towards.”

The rewards for years of endeavour and sacrifice are that he now gets to call decorated Scottish idols like Andy Robertson and John McGinn his team-mates. “Aye, it's pretty exciting. I know I'm in it and I'm really excited about it, but I hate getting too far ahead,” said McPake. “I always want to think about the here and now, but I'm sure when I meet up with the boys I'll be absolutely buzzing about it. I feel like I've got more to give to be honest. I feel like I could've done a lot better on Tuesday [in Hearts’ 2-1 loss at Falkirk]. The games are coming thick and fast for Hearts, and that international break is coming up. There are going to be a lot of games there as well, so there are a lot of chances to prove yourself.”

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