Why Hearts star left Tynecastle on deadline day as he makes positive impression in thumping debut success
Arsenal had shown transfer interest in the Hearts talent but he has opted for Tottenham.
James Wilson insists the chance to try something new at a Premier League heavyweight like Tottenham was too good to turn down, as he explained his exit from Hearts on deadline day.
The forward had interest from Arsenal but it was their North London rivals who swooped in to seal a loan deal with an option to buy in the summer during the final day of this winter’s transfer window. It gives Wilson the chance to prove himself worthy of Tottenham activating that option in the second half of this season, although Hearts boss Derek McInnes was keen to see him remain in Scotland, amid Arsenal and Tottenham interest.
Wilson has already debuted for Spurs’ youth side at Premier League two level, making a positive impression in a 4-0 win over Birmingham City. He played key passes in the build-up to the second goal during the emphatic win as he made his debut from the start. Speaking to Tottenham’s in house media pre match on choosing his new club, the teenage striker who’s made 45 senior Hearts outings with eight goals and three assists says a new environment was something that appealed to him.
James Wilson on joining Tottenham
He said: “I'm buzzing. It happened so quickly for me. Deadline day was a busy day. It all happened so quickly, and then yeah, it's nice to be here. I'm buzzing to be at Spurs. I've been to London but not properly to visit. Used it as a kind of travelling base. It’ll be the first time leaving home so even that will be a challenge, just getting used to me having to cook for myself, having to clean for myself.
“It's a great opportunity for me. A new environment. It's a big thing. I've been at Hearts since I was nine. So getting this environment, of just trying something different, and yeah, hopefully make the most of it.
“The training ground is incredible. It looks so new. The pitches look incredible. I mean, I'm loving the kit, everything about it, it looks amazing. I think I would be someone who wants to get in the box and score goals.
Has James Wilson played for Scotland?
“I like to think my movement's pretty good, movement behind. So I think for every game I play, that would be come link the play, running behind and hopefully score goals really."
Wilson also discussed his involvement in the Scotland squad during the second half of last season. He added: They're a great group. They were so welcoming for me. I knew obviously having Craigy there, Craig Gordon, he took me to the hotel the first time and just having someone there who had the experience of being there so many times.
“I could always go and ask him questions if I needed to. But yeah, it was such a great experience for me. I loved it. To make my debut was incredible. I didn't think it would happen, but it was so good to go on the pitch and just play in front of Hampden and just be a Scotland player."