Josh McPake insists Hearts have the quality to challenge for the Premiership title despite late heartbreak against Rangers. The Jambos were on the brink of making up ground on league leaders Celtic before Olwethu Makhanya found the net late on to secure a point for Derek McInnes on his return to Tynecastle.
Disappointed McPake reckons Hearts should have taken three points from the Wednesday night showdown, but is refusing to rule out a title challenge. He said: "I thought we played really, really well. Obviously, conceding that late on as well was a wee bit of a stinger, but I think the boys should be proud of how we performed. I felt like we had more chances as well to put the game to bed."
Quality in the squad
"I think there definitely is enough quality. There's no doubt about that. But I think what the manager said to us, and like I've said time and time again, we just take it one game at a time. We don't look too far ahead of ourselves."
"The manager's really good with us on that. I think there's definitely enough quality for us to be up there. No doubt about that. But we just want to take it one game at a time. This was a good performance."
Rapid rise at Tynecastle
After signing with Hearts in the summer from St Johnstone, the 23-year-old has enjoyed a rapid rise and has emerged as one of Wouter Vrancken's key men. The Scotland cap, who was playing in League Two with Stirling Albion just a couple of seasons ago, reckons he has the drive to continue to find success in Gorgie.
Having netted against Hibs in his first Edinburgh Derby, he is looking for more success against the Easter Road side and a place in the Premier Sports Cup final. He said: "I think I've got a lot of hunger still in me. I know I've come a long way in quite a short space of time, but I'm very, very hungry for more. I want to do well, I want to keep doing well and keep doing the things that got me to this moment, and I'll continue to do that."
Cup final ambition
"I think obviously that was a good performance [against Hibs in September] from the team as well. I played well and all the lads play well. I think when we all play well, the individuals show. It's more of a team thing, making sure we do well as a team, making sure we do well as a unit. The gaffer would say the individuals can shine."
Pressed on where making the cup final would rank for him, the forward added: "It would be up there, yeah. I think making my Scotland debut was certainly the top, but no, that would be something that would be amazing for myself, especially, like you said, the journey I've been on, and I don't hide away from that journey. I think it's made me how I got here today. That would be brilliant as well."
