'Josh McPake flopped at Rangers but he is set for Premier League after Hearts transformation'
Hearts should already be considering handing a new contract to star winger Josh McPake in order to protect themselves from interest from elsewhere.
That is according to former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that it is a matter of time before the 25-year-old catches the eye of Premier League clubs.
The former Rangers wideman only joined Hearts on a free from St. Johnstone in the summer, but has already notched seven goal involvements from his opening seven games in the Scottish Premiership.
Wyness believes that McPake could become an "£8million asset" for the Jambos, but feels that they need long-term security with his contract.
The forward penned a three-year deal when he made the switch to Tynecastle, but Wyness feels the club should already be prepared to boost his wages in exchange for an extension to that agreement.
McPake was playing in Scottish League One as recently as 2023-24, but is now one of the most exciting players in the Premiership.
Josh McPake interest to build quickly
Aberdeen's former chief Wyness - who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004 and now runs a consultancy business advising elite clubs - believes that interest in McPake will grow quickly if he continues his current form.
The Scottish businessman is clear that the forward will have "red lights flashing" surrounding his performances at the start of this season.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness urged Hearts to move quickly to shore up the future of their star asset.
"Well, you look at McPake's story, he was a bit of a journeyman that went around a few clubs. And then the Tony Bloom data, and Jamestown analytics picked him up and bingo, he's done well," he said.
"Now he's come in on free transfer wages. So if Hearts are clever, they can get that deal re-done with his agent quickly, get him onto some decent wages and protect something that could become an £8m asset.
"Everybody's data, red lights will be flashing on a Monday morning when they come into work, and they see the sort of stats he's been producing. So there'll be interest already because these things happen quickly.
"It used to be days of having to wait for scouts to drive up from England to watch the games. Now everybody's got the data straight away, immediately to hand after a game. So things are a lot quicker.
"McPake seems to be the real deal; he's done it for a reasonable period now. Hearts have to try and get that sorted out. So it's up to them, but they could have uncovered a little gem and, if so, then act on it and turn it into cash."
Hearts to prepare for more Claudio Braga interest
Wyness previously told Football Insider that Hearts striker Claudio Braga is likely to wait until next summer before "pushing" for a move away.
The Portuguese was heavily linked with a move to Celtic a few months ago, but the Jambos stood firm in their stance that he was not for sale.
Braga has since notched three goals and two assists in his opening eight league games, and has displayed the sort of form that is sure to see that interest resurface.
He will enter the final year of his contract with Hearts next summer, which is likely to make it a pivotal moment for his time with the club.