Star who's signed Hearts pre contract scoops major award nomination as Derek McInnes provides attacker verdict
The St Johnstone winger has helped them win promotion from the Scottish Championship back to the top flight
Hearts-bound star Josh McPake’s successful season with St Johnstone has not only been recognised by future boss Derek McInnes, but also PFA Scotland, as he’s been nominated for their Scottish Championship Player of the Year award.
The former Rangers winger, who signed a pre-contract agreement for the Jambos in January, tops the division’s goalscoring charts and helped St Johnstone win promotion straight back to the top flight after being relegated last season. Hearts loanee Adam Forrester also played a part in helping Simo Valakari’s side get back in the big time.
After the Saints sealed the deal at East End Park with a 2-0 victory over Dunfermline Athletic, supporters and teammates serenaded McPake, with his ABBA-inspired chant. The 24-year old certainly has loved to play on a Saturday this season, with 16 goals over the campaign. He is now up against teammate Jamie Gullan, Partick Thistle’s Ben Stanway and Dunfermline’s Andrew Tod for the Player of the Year crown. He was also included in the league’s Team of the Season.
McInnes on ‘first class’ McPake
As a former Saints boss himself, McInnes has been keeping a close eye on their progress, as well as that of McPake’s. The Hearts gaffer had nothing but admiration for his former club’s achievements this season and has been pleased with the way he’s conducted himself at his current side.
Following St Johnstone’s promotion-clinching victory over the Pars, McInnes said: “I’m delight for him (McPake). I’m delighted for St Johnstone as a club. There’s a lot of people I still know there and they were good to me when I was there, so I’ve got a lot of affection for them. So yes, thoroughly deserved and great to see them back.
“And for Josh, I think when he sorted his future here for next season back in January, that was something he was really conscious of. He wanted to end things on a high, so I think that says a lot about him. People, maybe from looking outside might’ve been thinking ‘is he going to put the tools away now he’s signed for Hearts?’ But it’s been nothing like that at all. He’s been first class for them.”
McPake helps ‘repay’ Saints
The willingness not to down tools McInnes spoke of was something McPake illustrated earlier in the season himself. Shortly after signing his Tynecastle pre-contract agreement, he said: “I’ve always just wanted to give my all to the very end. I’ll continue to do that because the club has been brilliant with me. I want to repay that. It’s a great group of boys. There are a few who were here last season, like Holty, who is always great with me. And all the other lads who have come in have worked really hard.”
Former Hearts man, Jason Holt will be the man who lifts the trophy this Friday when they face Raith Rovers. The Saints Captain was delighted his side got over the line: “It feels amazing. There’s been so much hard work. I think the club knew it had to rebuild in the summer. It makes it all worth it this. It’s different class. It means so much. To get rewarded means the world.”
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