I saw 'fearless' Hearts ace's potential at Rangers - he has earned his Scotland chance and will want more
Scotland winger McPake realising his potential after Hampen Park debut.
Scotland’s newest cap Josh McPake has been told that his "fearless" attitude can make him a permanent fixture in the Scotland squad following his impressive cameo in the 2-1 defeat to Slovenia in the Nations League on Tuesday night.
McPake, 25, continued his remarkable rise over the last 12 months by making his international debut for Scotland as a 72nd-minute substitute in the defeat at Hampden Park, and was one of the few bright spots from a hugely disappointing night in Glasgow.
Linking well with captain Andy Robertson on the left wing, the Hearts star delivered a positive performance as he looked to drag his side back into the game with a series of penetrating runs.
McPake has been in scintillating form at Tynecastle, contributing six goals in as many games since his summer arrival from St Johnstone and, having made the step up to international level, former Rangers teammate and ex-Jambos midfielder Andy Halliday believes he’s beginning to realise the potential he showed as a teenager in the Ibrox academy.
“I think he was a young boy that had loads of promise,” recalled Halliday. “He had a few first team opportunities. At that point in time, he was probably in a Rangers team that was doing quite well under Steven Gerrard and he had to go out on loan. I think it was Stirling Albion he first went to potentially. Once you’ve got to St Johnstone and played the amount of games he did, he was a key man, you can then see his development coming from a lot of minutes on the pitch, which is natural in young players. He got an abundance of minutes at St Johnstone.
“Like loads of modern day youngsters, he was quiet [at Rangers]. But he had loads of self belief, in a good way, He believed in his own ability, which I always think is really important at that age group. But like most, he just struggled for opportunities and had to go down the load route. I think he’s reaping the rewards now, and there’s nothing to say he can’t kick on further. He’s already went through what was potentially deemed a squad player at Hearts, now he’s arguably one of the first name on the team sheet given how he’s played over the last two to three months.”
Already a fan favourite on the Gorgie terraces thanks to his outstanding solo goal in the 3-1 win over rivals Hibs last month, Halliday thinks he has already proven he has what it takes to make the “massive step up” for the second tier, heralding his self-confidence as a key contributor to his recent success.
“Then it’s a massive step up from Championship football to Hearts, a club with the expectation week in, week out,” said Halliday. “He was always pacey and direct. I think he’s filled out a bit, which is always natural. I think when he left Rangers he was only 18 or 19. He certainly looks more of an athlete than he did.
“He had to bide his time. He never got his opportunity [at Hearts] until the Dundee United and Benfica games, and I think from there on in he’s gone from strength to strength. He’s been outstanding. He’s the type of player I love to watch personally. Fearless on the ball and he wants to make an impact, drive forward and make a difference at the top end of the pitch, and I think he’s done that. He’s thoroughly deserved his Scotland call up off the back of it.”
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