Lee McCulloch reckons Barrie McKay was the best player in the English Championship with Swansea where his freedom to terrorise defences lit up the Liberty Stadium.
It was no shock to the Hearts assistant who had been struck by the winger’s ability to get bums off seats as a teenager coming through at Rangers.
What did surprise McCulloch though was seeing McKay’s career in south Wales take a Swan dive which led to him spending the last season and a half out on loan at Fleetwood Town.
Graham Potter was the Swansea boss who signed McKay from Nottingham Forest three years ago and tipped the Scot to be playing in the Premier League soon after.
McCulloch was of the same opinion. But after Potter’s departure a year later McKay was soon be punted out on loan.
Now he’s back north of the border after signing a two-year deal with the Jambos and McCulloch is adamant a new home in Gorgie is the perfect place for the 26-year-old to rediscover top gear - for club and country.
He was handed a cameo debut in the Edinburgh derby before playing 90 minutes in the 2-2 draw at Ross County on Saturday.
And McCulloch said: “There was a time when Barrie was down in England, in the Championship and he went through a spell where he was the best player in the Championship for a long spell.
“I don’t know what happened, if there was a change of manager, he fell out of favour, found himself on loan, but I’ve known Barrie for years and years and he’s such a talented football player, a real real talent.
“He’s got pace, he can score goals, he doesn’t get enough credit for his final pass, he can play in various positions.
“Hopefully, he’s found a home here, I know the fans have taken to him.
“He’s still a little bit short of fitness, because he’s not really played at all this season. You can see signs already, that his quality is there.
“I really don’t see why he can’t get back in the Scotland squad.
“His ambition and his hunger should be to be in the next World Cup with Scotland.
“That’s the things we speak to the players about: ‘What’s your ambition, where do you want to be in six months or a year’s time?’
“I think Barrie should be pushing for a Scotland place if they go on and do their stuff."
McKay burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old at Ibrox, playing 41 times alongside McCulloch as Rangers began their journey back to the top in League 2 in 2012-13.
As the elder statesman of Ally McCoist’s side back then it fell on McCulloch to be the father figure for the youngsters who were carrying the responsibility of firing the club back up the leagues.
But he never had any doubts about McKay.
He said: “He was always a stand-out, when you look at how he could handle the ball on the half turn, the way he can set up chances and score goals. He’s got blistering pace.
“He was one who always caught your eye.
“At times, for large spells in his career, as soon as he has got the ball he’s got bums off seats.
“I think that’s what the Hearts fans have been crying out for.
“It’s good to have him but it wouldn’t be fair to judge him just now because he’s not fully fit.
“To be fair to Barrie, he’s always been pretty laid back, he’s always listened to the experienced ones and the managers and the coaches.
“He’s wanting to get better and we’re trying our utmost to get him as fit as possible.”
