Hearts have plenty of young talent at their disposal. Harry Cochrane, Connor Smith and Aidan Keena are just a handful of young guns pressing for regular first-team opportunities. One other youngster who deserves first-team minutes during the 2019/20 campaign for Hearts is Anthony McDonald.
The midfielder is another product of the Jambos youth academy. He spent the latter half of last term on loan at Championship side Inverness CT.
McDonald spent some time with Jambos legend John Robertson in the Highlands last season.(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Now back with Craig Levein’s men for pre-season, the Tynecastle gaffer really should look to give McDonald minutes, both in friendlies and upcoming competitive matches.
McDonald is a part of the future Hearts midfield
Hearts’ midfield is packed right now. Olly Lee, Peter Haring, potentially Arnaud Djoum, Ryan Edwards, Irving, Smith and Cochrane are all fighting for starting berths alongside McDonald.
For the Jambos’ future though, the-ex Inverness loanee has to be involved in some shape or form this upcoming term.
McDonald has to feature in some capacity. (Photo by Alan Rennie/Action Plus via Getty Images)
Aged just 18, McDonald made a fantastic 35 senior appearances with the Jambos and Inverness last season. In those appearances, he showed his potential. Great movement, passing ability and he also has a bit of defensive dig about him.
McDonald doesn’t need a loan spell, he’s ready for the Tynecastle first-team. Of course it’ll be difficult to breakthrough, but perhaps the competition with his fellow peers will bring his full potential to the forefront.
Hearts have a future midfield four in McDonald, Irving, Smith and Cochrane. For them to become an effective midfield in the future they all need minutes. Irving perhaps would be better off out on loan, but McDonald should stay and fight for his place alongside Cochrane and Smith.
McDonald will push for places with fellow Jambos youngsters. (Photo by Alan Rennie/Action Plus via Getty Images)
Levein needs a spark in the middle and McDonald could provide him with it. Even if it’s from the bench, Premiership minutes have to be the next step in McDonald’s development.
Hopefully Levein gives this promising talent a chance this term.