McPake puts in statement display for Hearts

[SNS] Amid the bedlam on the pitch and in the stands, pretty much every Hearts supporter stood to applaud Josh McPake when he was taken off on 73 minutes against Rapid Vienna. The 24-year-old properly announced himself as a Hearts player in the Conference League play-off first leg, having made the switch from St Johnstone after a stellar season in the Championship. McPake was the driving force behind a lot of Hearts' positive attacking play, starting towards the end of the first half. Three times he managed to cut inside from the left on to his right foot - a trademark last term in Perth - and get decent efforts on goal. But he also showed he could drive down the outside and cut back balls towards the penalty spot, only Hearts had nobody in positions to finish. His persistence paid off, though, when he got into the box and found the equaliser via a deflection. It was just rewards for his performance, and Hearts did not carry the same threat when he was removed with what appeared to be cramp. Those skills - his low centre of gravity, quick feet and determined attitude - are well known by Championship opposition, given his 19 goals for St Johnstone last term. But to do it on the European stage against a good Rapid Vienna side was another statement, and one which is hugely encouraging for Hearts. Tony Bloom's analytics picks out talent from all over the world, and given the focus on the lack of Scottish talent being given opportunities, it is also a boost more widely that a player who had to drop down the divisions to revive his career can be given the chance to improve through playing regularly. It is only one game, but if McPake can replicate that performance consistently, he will make a huge contribution to Hearts and may even catch the eye of the new Scotland head coach Sebastien Pocognoli.