Is Hearts' McPake poised to gatecrash Pocognoli's Scotland squad?

As the Scottish FA's youth development summit approached, Hearts' Josh McPake stole the spotlight during a nail-biting Edinburgh derby against Hibernian. It was under the watchful eye of the new national team head coach, Sebastien Pocognoli, who was in attendance. McPake, a 25-year-old winger from a Rangers youth product, has been making waves since his move to Hearts from St Johnstone in the summer.

His electrifying performance in the derby, where he scored a goal off a deflection and provided an assist, has left fans and analysts buzzing. Despite some initial skepticism about his ability to compete with top-tier players, McPake has proven his worth, registering two goals and four assists in eight games for Hearts. His unique skill set, including his ability to play both ways and catch defenders off-guard, has drawn comparisons to the best wingers in the game.

With the team emerging as contenders for the season's greatest entertainers, McPake's emergence as a key player cannot be ignored. While he has expressed reluctance to discuss potential Scotland call-ups, his impressive performances have many believing he is the standout at present.