BY ALAN TEMPLE – @CCP_Sport
INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE boss John Robertson insists Jake Mulraney has all the tools to be a smash hit at Hearts after the Irish winger became the Jambos’ fourth signing ahead of next season.
The 22-year-old has penned a two-year contract with the capital club in a swap deal which sees young midfielder Angus Beith head in the opposite direction.
Former Nottingham Forest and QPR youngster Mulraney joined Inverness in the summer of 2016 and went on to make 64 appearances, scoring three goals and helping the club lift the Irn-Bru Cup with a 1-0 win over Dumbarton in March.
Mulraney impressed Craig Levein during a trial period earlier this year and, speaking last month, the Hearts boss said: ‘Jake is a project. He’s got real pace, it’s about what we can do with it after that. I liked him when he came in to train.’
It is a sentiment echoed by Jambos legend and current Caley manager, Robertson, who has urged Mulraney to seize his big chance.
Robertston said: “If he can get his consistency levels higher on a regular basis then he has an opportunity to succeed in the top leagues.
“It will be a challenge for him and one he should embrace because he has all the tools at his disposal to make an impact at a higher level.”
Mulraney follows Steven MacLean, Uche Ikpeazu and Bobby Burns in joining Hearts as they rebuild for a renewed European charge next term. Luton midfielder Olly Lee is also expected to be officially unveiled this week after agreeing a switch to Tynecastle.
Angus Beith
Beith, meanwhile, leaves Hearts after 13 years at the club. The academy graduate was highly-rated by Jambos coaches but endured miserable luck with injuries, including a persistent hip complaint which required THREE separate operations.
The 22-year-old has enjoyed loan stints with Stirling, Stenhousemuir and, this season, with Stranraer in League 1. He earned rave reviews for his displays with the Stair Park outfit, scoring eight goals in 14 outings after joining the club in December.
Beith departs having made a total of three senior appearances for Hearts.
