Hartlepool will have to play waiting game on Rangers winger Josh McPake

Pools made an enquiry over the winger’s availability for next season as manager Paul Hartley looks at talent in Scotland to add to his squad. McPake has previously spent time on loan at Tranmere Rovers and Harrogate Town in League Two making a total for 37 appearances along with a short spell at Morecambe in League One.

McPake returned to Glasgow for pre-season training in June and has made an early impression on the first-team with manager Geovanni Van Bronckhorst currently taking a closer look at him. The 20-year-old scored the matchwinning goal in their 3-2 friendly win over Patrick Thistle at the club’s training ground yesterday.

There is still a possibility McPake could be sent out on loan to further his development but for now, he will continue to train with the first-team at Ibrox until a decision is made. After his early impression with Rangers, several other clubs have been alerted and are showing interest in the Scotland youth international.

With Pools keen to make additions following recent departures, they may well be forced to look elsewhere in order to make immediate signings. They now have considerable gaps to fill in their squad following the departure of three key players this week.

Timi Odusina, Omar Bogle and Neill Byrne all permanently left the club to make switches to fellow League Two sides Bradford City, Newport County and Tranmere Rovers respectively. Hartley was confident of completing deals for a number of players over the weekend but the club are yet to confirm any new additions.

In order to concentrate on the transfer market, the decision was made to cancel their upcoming friendly against Scottish side St Mirren on Tuesday night with the club focussing their efforts on the training ground at Maiden Castle. Their next friendly will be played on Saturday July 9th against Northern League side Billingham Synthonia.