Ex Hearts star assesses striker's rise, Calvin Miller’s frustration and workhorse Josh McPake

Teenage striker James Wilson is at the centre of that optimism. The Scotland international's rise has accelerated this season after initially finding himself outside of manager Wouter Vrancken's plans. But former Tynecastle captain Berra believes his response to that setback says as much about his prospects as the goals he has scored.

Wilson’s decision to leave on loan and play academy football at Tottenham Hotspur during the second half of last season before returning to Gorgie in the summer could easily have become a distraction. Instead, Berra says the youngster maintained his standards before seizing his opportunity with an incredible strike from distance against Rapid Vienna in the Europa Conference League.

“I think James has got all the attributes, has got a good head on his shoulders and looks after himself,” Berra said. “And, more importantly, he scores goals. His all-round play is good, even though there are areas he needs to improve in. All credit to the individual and his character and temperament. He didn’t sulk, didn’t drop his training standards. He got called on in the game against Rapid, scored a worldie and he’s not looked back since.”

Berra, however, is keen to temper expectations. Wilson remains young and will inevitably encounter periods when his form dips or he loses his place.

“He’s one for the future, I think he’s Hearts’ biggest Scottish talent,” he confessed. “The more games he plays, the more experience he gets, he’s only going to get better. He’s not going to score every week. He will drop out of the team at a stage but that’s all part of your journey. There is a lot of development and potential in there and he’s already shown a lot of that.”

Berra: ‘There are going to be ups and downs’

That pathway is particularly pertinent as the Scotland national team undergoes a period of transition. Berra believes the changes at international and youth level should ultimately create more opportunities for emerging talent, although results will not arrive overnight.

“This is a pivotal point. It’s not going to be producing results straight away,” he stated. “There’s a lot of positivity but there are going to be ups and downs. We need to take the good with the bad.”

The immediate frustration for Wilson's team-mate Calvin Miller was missing out on selection in new head coach Sebastian Pocognoli's first squad, despite an impressive start to his Hearts career.

Berra regards the surprise omission as unfortunate rather than an indictment of the wing-back’s ability. “Calvin will be disappointed, I would be myself,” he said. “But his time will come and he will get his opportunity. The manager will have his reasons. He’ll build a squad around a certain way of playing, a certain formation and for now he’s filled that position.”

Josh McPake, meanwhile, has earned his first call-up after rebuilding his career. And Berra reckons spells at St Johnstone and now Hearts have allowed the versatile attacker to flourish in systems that suit him.

“He came through at Rangers, probably got lost a little bit and had to drop down the divisions.” Berra said. “He took off from there, but both of them also work their socks off. Tracking back, not lazy, helping the full-backs. If they do that, it really helps the defence as well and the manager can trust them.”

That collective work ethic could prove crucial if Hearts are to sustain another title challenge. Berra admits even he has been surprised by their start, but believes Vrancken's enlarged squad gives them a chance of coping with the demands of European football.

Hearts are five points off Celtic and have already raised expectations after last season’s disappointment. Yet Berra sees no reason for supporters to regard their current position as a temporary surge.

“The big question mark will be those weeks playing Thursday-Sunday,” he said. “It’s difficult. They’ve been entertaining, scored goals. They are in a strong position and are only going to get stronger as the season goes on.”

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