Three years ago, Josh Mc Pake was without a club. Twenty months ago, he was in the shop window but “no-one wanted him”. This week, he's involved in his first Scotland camp following a heroic start to life at Hearts, where supporters sing he is “having the time of his life”.

His call-up to Sebastien Poconogli's squad for the upcoming Nations League games caps an eventful few years for the 25-year-old winger. From Rangers academy's next big thing to dropping into Scottish League 1 with Stirling Albion and being shelved at St Johnstone, it has been a colourful career.

He scored for Scotland Under-19s against Germany, but was loaned six times and remained club-less for nearly six months until Stirling signed him. “I wouldn't change my journey for anything,” Mc Pake insists.

At Hearts, he appears at home in Gorgie and hopes to be just as comfortable representing his country. His story is one of resilience and patience — and it is paying off.

Former Aberdeen midfielder Darren Young said Mc Pake worked very, very hard, did extra shooting and finishing, and was head and shoulders above his teammates.