One of football's oldest clichés tends to be 'with a full pre-season under his belt, he could be a key man.' More often that not this mantra falls flat on its face but Josh McPake is seemingly keen to prove it right at Rangers.
The winger was the next brightest thing coming out of the Auchenhowie academy a few years ago and made it onto the senior scene by appearing against St Joseph's in Europa League qualifying in 2019. Since then the trajectory hasn't followed the same upward line, rather dipping with slight upsides before taking hits again in the form of restricted minutes and injuries. There's been silverware won in that time at Harrogate Town but there's also been the ignominy of fumbling about for form in the third and fourth tier of English football, with again those concerns proving a troublesome obstacle for the still young Ibrox winger.
That's not to say nothing has been learned over the course of his loans. In total, he's had five, but regular starts have proven a hard commodity to find. Despite this, he's back in light blue for the return of the new campaign. Boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst is running the rule over his stars, including those out on the periphery and youth teams.
McPake's work for the new term started long before this week's training link-up though. It's helped him stay sharp and contribute with a goal like he did in Saturday's 3-2 pre-season win over Partick Thistle. You only have to look across the city to see what can be achieved with one good summer training module. Anthony Ralston went from Celtic outcast to key title winner and Scotland international in 12 months.
That's not to say Rangers' 20-year-old will follow that same path. But after mixed spells with Morton, Dundee, Harrogate Town, Morecambe and Tranmere, perhaps he's got a point to prove. So expect him to be pushing for first in the gruelling early term runs. With an attacking position up for grabs at Ibrox amid their pursuit of striker Antonio Colak, perhaps an opportunity has been sensed.
There's determination to succeed within him. And Record Sport takes a closer look at McPake, the academy product rebooted.
Hitting the gym
McPake's picked up several bumps and bruises so far in his career, with his spell at Harrogate his most consistent. He played 23 times over six months after a January 2021 loan arrival. Outside that though, he featured seven times at Morecambe over the same period, 14 at Tranmere, seven at Dundee and 14 with Morton. Still only 20 though, that's decent experience.
However, his fitness has been worked on. Alongside teammate Leon King, they've been at Commando X-Fit in Hillington Park. There have been high-intensity double gym sessions long before pre-season kicked off. When the beep test started at Auchenhowie, it was probably a relief for McPake. He's been doing much more than that this summer but it seems to be helping after getting off the mark in the 3-2 success over Thistle.
Former boss praise
Tranmere boss Micky Mellon fully backs him too. The former Dundee United manager saw enough during the Rangers starlet's time in England to show he can make it at Ibrox. He said: “Josh is ready to go. He is at an age where he has got to go and play and I genuinely believe this can be a big season for him.
“He is a talented boy, a good dribbler and a top footballer. He is quick and strong. He has all the attributes you need in the modern game. I am in no doubt he will develop very quickly into a top player.”
Rallying against claims
It was heavily suggested in reports that McPake was heading for the exit door this season but hopes are high.
Given it still has got two years to run after last year's three-year extension, that would be quite the leap. It's not something he's taken notice of, it would seem. Instead he is looking to do his talking on the pitch. His loans have brought seven senior goals so there will be acknowledgement end product must improve.
If it does though, clubs are always looking for goals. Even if his future isn't at Ibrox this summer, a good camp in July could propel him higher up the football food chain.
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