EPL loan move to London could lead to a permement deal
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Hearts head coach Derek McInnes believes teenage striker James Wilson might live to regret joining Tottenham Hotspur. An initial loan deal was agreed with the option of a £2.5m permanent transfer this summer, but McInnes feels Wilson should be playing at a higher level than Spurs’ under-21 side.
The 18-year-old Riccarton youth academy graduate took the chance to move to London on transfer deadline day. He had grown increasingly frustrated at his lack of games with Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts this season. The Edinburgh club wanted him to stay and potentially go on loan in Scotland - St Johnstone were keen to utilise their co-operation agreement with Hearts to take Wilson to Perth - but the player chose Tottenham.
He will play for their youth side in England’s Premier League 2 and, if he impresses, Spurs have the option to sign him permanently this summer. McInnes explained his feelings on the move after initial interest from Arsenal changed to a deal with Tottenham for the young Scotland internationalist. “James wanted to go, that has to be said. So you don't want to keep a player who then becomes unhappy,” said McInnes.
“I couldn't guarantee him minutes, such is the way it's been. I told him and his agent knew that our preference was for him to stay, fight for your place, be part of something. Get a loan in Scotland if need be, if you need to top your minutes up, and we can maybe recall you so you still get the best of both worlds.
“His head was turned with the Tottenham thing. First of all it was Arsenal, then Arsenal went quiet and then all of a sudden Tottenham came to the table yesterday [Monday] afternoon. I don't think it's the right move for him. Ultimately, it's academy football and I think he's better than that, but it was something James wanted to do.
“Like I say, we made it clear that our preference was for him to stay and be part of something here. He made the decision and I hope it goes well for him because he's a great kid and we'll see how it plays out. For us, I just need to concentrate on the players who are here, who want to be here and who want to play their part.”
Hearts lost 1-0 at St Mirren on Tuesday night as a late Miguel Freckleton header earned an important win for the Paisley side in their attempts to move clear of the Premiership relegation zone. Hearts defender Craig Halkett was sent off on 29 minutes for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity and is now suspended for next week’s Edinburgh derby against Hibs at Tynecastle Park.
“Yeah, there is a consequence of that,” acknowledged McInnes. “We've spoken about that. It's not only to put extra stress on the lads that are playing, but there's a consequence of that when you're without key players for games. We've already spoken about injuries and suspensions and getting through that, and our coping mechanisms have been brilliant so far.
“Listen, it's hard to criticise. There's no criticising my players once we've got 10 men. We were terrific in terms of what I expect from them and what we've shown over a period now. But we got top of the league by being something, and teams need to know that if they want to come after us, we're going to put it in behind you. We're going to run, we're going to test you, try to put stress on the back line. And then you just might earn the right to play a wee bit more.”