Rangers starlet Josh McPake has put pen to paper on a loan move to Harrogate Town and, after passing a medical, looks set to continue his progression to the ultimate aim of first-team football at Ibrox.
One former Ger keen to see the Scotland youth cap succeed is Alan Hutton who knows all too well what it takes to make the step up from the academy to holding down a place in the starting XI, and in an interview with Football Insider he has backed the move despite it being to the English lower leagues.
When asked if he thinks it’s a good decision for both the player and the club, he said:
“Yeah, I think he’s obviously in the thoughts of Gerrard and they’re looking for him to get more of a test.
“I think it’s always good for a young person to go and experience different leagues, different levels, I think it always adds to their character as well.
“Going into the unknown, I mean, that can really help you. Some people are maybe against it but I think it’s good, I think all these definite experiences really build the character of the player and I think he’ll be better for it.
“He will come back a man, if you want, playing in a tough league week in, week out. I think it’s a step up, it’s a good opportunity for him and it looks like Rangers, they keep an eye on all their talent that’s out playing, wherever it might be. I think it can only help him in the long run.”
McPake has added physicality to his obvious potential and a short stint in the Championship with Morton will have done him no harm at all, other than the uncertainty that the club currently finds itself in, something that could serve as a reminder as to how good he has it at Rangers though.
Is League Two a good move for McPake?
Yes
No
It’s one thing impressing at age group level but he now has to start working on his end product in senior football, this doesn’t mean that he should be written off if he fails to score every other week, he is still only 19 and should be afforded the time to develop accordingly – time is on his side but he should grasp every opportunity given to him, starting with this one.