Scotland Under-17s boss David McCallum believes former Rangers youngster Josh McPake is proof that some players need time to fulfil their potential. McCallum, who worked with the Hearts winger during his time as Rangers B coach, says McPake's journey shows talent alone is not enough.
Unusual path to Scotland squad
McPake's inclusion in Sebastien Pocognoli's squad came after an unusual route. He was released by Rangers and had loan spells at Dundee, Greenock Morton, Harrogate Town, Morecambe, Tranmere Rovers and Queen's Park, before dropping down the leagues to sign for Stirling Albion.
He then moved to St Johnstone and made a huge impression at Tynecastle following his summer move, earning his first Scotland call-up. McCallum says patience could be the key to such development.
'Penny drops' moment
Speaking about McPake's turnaround, McCallum said: "You are seeing some players now go a different way. I look at Josh McPake who had a couple of moments in the Rangers first team, but it didn't work out for him and he had to go a different way. He went down to League Two at one point in Scotland."
He added: "So it shows you again that at that time it wasn't right for Josh for whatever reason, but he's looked at it and thought, that experience actually helped him, because he's kicked on."
Work ethic and mindset
McCallum, who still keeps in touch with McPake, highlighted the winger's improved game. "I still keep in touch with Josh quite often and you look at him and he's exciting, he's lighting up the game. He's that player who is taking people on and creating chances, scoring goals. His work ethic is also at a high level, so he's added a lot to his game."
He reflected on McPake's mindset shift: "And maybe that experience of going down to League Two has made him think, 'you know what, I don't want this' and he thought about what he needed to do to get to the point he is now. Talent doesn't go away. Talent is still there - it's when the talent becomes realised, and, again, I think the mindset is a massive part to it."
McCallum concluded: "And Josh, probably at the time when he was younger and maybe thought, you know, I'm a talented player and that's where I'll get by. But actually, he's added so much more to who he is. He's always had a brilliant personality. Again, the realisation of opportunity for him and going, I don't want this. I want that. I think sometimes the penny drops, and I think it's done that for him."
He also noted there is no single route to success: "And sometimes others get it right away and they succeed. There is no one way, no silver bullet. What somebody else has decided doesn't work now, if it works for somebody else now at Hearts or Alex Lowry at Motherwell, then it's just kind of right at the right time. It's smelling the moment, and that's the skill set of the coaches and staff to get it right."
The young Scots face Belgium on Tuesday in Spain after a win against Real Murcia and a defeat to the USA in a series of friendlies.
