Josh McPake has spoken about his impending move to Hearts, expressing confidence that he can replicate his St Johnstone impact at Tynecastle.
McPake agreed to join the Premiership leaders in January. He remained quiet on the subject while St Johnstone pursued their own title ambitions.
Simo Valakari’s men were confirmed as Championship champions after a 2-0 win at Dunfermline.
McPake on Joining Hearts
McPake, who is nominated for the PFA Championship Player of the Year Award, said he can now open up about joining his new club this summer. “I’m buzzing about it,” he said. “It’s something I knew was coming but I wanted to make sure from January until now, I was focused on St Johnstone and being a St Johnstone player.”
“But now that the league’s wrapped up, I can look forward to that a wee bit more. I believe in myself and believe I’ll make an impact at that club as well.”
McInnes’s Delight for McPake and St Johnstone
Former Saints boss Derek McInnes expressed his delight at St Johnstone’s promotion and praised McPake’s professionalism. He said, “I’m delighted for him. 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.”
McInnes added, “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 wanted to ensure that he remained focused on St Johnstone until the league was wrapped up. He will now look forward to his future with Hearts.