James Wilson wasn’t for hanging around in case Hearts suddenly wished his input on the Premiership run-in.
Last season’s breakthrough Tynecastle talent turned his back on the thrills of a three-way title battle that today moves onto a pivotal Ibrox clash.
Preference was to pass on senior football – for four months, at least – and join Tottenham Hotspur’s Under-21 squad on loan.
The 18-year-old striker could’ve been leaping off the bench in celebration on another wild night of derby delight for Hearts last Tuesday.
Instead, he ended up kicking his heels after Friday night’s game against Blackburn Rovers at Lancashire FA County Ground against Blackburn Rovers youths was postponed.
Wilson has heard plenty opinions on his decision, not least directly from manager Derek McInnes.
Scotland cap James Wilson has left Hearts to play Under-21 football with Tottenham
James Wilson has played in the Europa Conference League for Hearts
‘I don’t think it’s the right move for him,’ stressed McInnes.
‘Ultimately, it’s academy football and I think he’s better than that.’
Ex-Scotland manager Gordon Strachan added his own coruscating take; branding the Premier League II platform ‘Disneyland of football’.
McInnes has since clarified there was no fall-out; simply that he felt Wilson’s ‘best option’ was remaining at Hearts.
What platform, then, serves Wilson’s career best until June before a longer-term view is taken?
A fringe role – if that – in a ferocious, historic scrap for the Scottish Premiership.
Or playing Premier League II at training grounds within an elite English set-up.
Fourteen years ago, Jack Grimmer made a similar call one week before turning 18.
His decision to leave Aberdeen for Fulham’s academy sparked swathes of comment.
Not a great deal, to Grimmer’s dismay, was wholeheartedly supportive.
‘I was actually quite surprised by the criticism,’ recalled the Wycombe Wanderers captain.
Wilson is unveiled as a new signing by Tottenham, where he will play for the Under-21 side
‘I didn’t think that many people would’ve cared.
‘I’d played only four games and it had been a while since I had any proper minutes.
‘I felt I wasn’t being given a chance. There was advice from a lot of people.
‘The advice I chose to take was that, if I don’t make it at Aberdeen you end up at Peterhead or Cove.
‘If you don’t make it at Fulham, you go on to have the kind of career I’ve had.
‘So that was the route I decided on.’
Aberdeen chief executive Duncan Fraser highlighted the move as a dangerous precedent, with clubs down south swooping for Scottish talent on cut-price development fees.
Grimmer senses a lack of goodwill for Wilson, too, in securing a potential life-changing chance with Spurs.
His exposure had just dropped from 33 appearances and a Scotland cap in 2024/25 to one Premiership start and five sub outings for McInnes this term.
Hearts would’ve been content for Wilson to loan within Scotland for regular first team action.
Grimmer can, however, appreciate Wilson finding an alternative avenue in England more alluring.
Hearts boss Derek McInnes believes Wilson would have been better staying in Scotland
‘James maybe feels he needs a fresh challenge, which is similar to what I felt,’ said the 32-year-old.
‘Craig Brown and Archie (Knox) wished me all the best in training and around the stadium.
‘In the Press, they were quoted as saying something slightly different.
‘Duncan Fraser kind of said it was a terrible thing for Scottish football.
‘I didn’t feel a player like myself warranted that sort of weight being put on them.
Wycome captain Jack Grimmer has played 400 games in English football since leaving Aberdeen
‘I wasn’t expecting the amount of negativity around it.
‘It was tougher to take being a boyhood fan; seeing fans and the local paper I’d read all my life not saying the nicest things about me.
‘That caught me off guard. I remember feeling relieved to escape it all.’
English academy players flock to Scotland on loan every season, eager to experience ‘men’s football’.
Last week, Ben Broggio, 19, spoke of soaking up John McGinn’s survival guide before leaving Villa for a Premiership culture shock with Falkirk.
Wilson is doing the reverse, exiting the hotbed of Scottish football tribalism for Hotspur Way.
Grimmer stressed Wilson shouldn’t be blamed for snatching at a chance any young player in Scotland would embrace.
However, Grimmer admits it wasn’t long at Fulham before he pined for cut-throat competition.
Grimmer celebrates scoring an FA Cup goal for Coventry against Stoke back in 2018
‘James will be a step ahead of most academy players,’ said Grimmer.
‘He’s already used to the intensity of first team environments.
‘What Derek McInnes probably meant is that winning and losing isn’t the be all and end all in academy football.
‘It’s about development. As James HAS come from somewhere winning and losing is the be all and end all, I think that could be seen as a step back.
‘When I went to Fulham, I wanted to bed myself in for six months.
‘Then I instantly wanted a loan because I wanted right back in about it.
‘There’s nothing to say Spurs can’t assess him for these months then have a longer plan in place.’
Should Spurs fancy making the arrangement permanent, Wilson can expect further words of caution about missing first-team football at a crucial age.
Grimmer insists there remain ways for Wilson’s improvement to accelerate while on Tottenham’s youth books.
He played 21 loan games for Port Vale and Shrewsbury before a Championship breakthrough at Fulham.
‘I didn’t make my Fulham debut until two-and-a-half years after leaving Aberdeen,’ he said.
‘Of course, there’s that initial bit wondering if you made the wrong decision.
‘But, then, I played with players at Aberdeen whose careers sort of drifted.
“They stayed in Scotland and never really got the chance.
‘I took an opportunity that every single other player would’ve taken.
‘I felt justified when I eventually broke into the Fulham first team.
‘Of course, I’d have liked to play more there.
‘But I went on loans where I got opportunities I didn’t think I would’ve had at Aberdeen.’
Grimmer has enjoyed promotion with Wycombe, Coventry and Shrewsbury
Grimmer is convinced, while it was a slow-burner, he played more football thanks to leaving Scotland for a top academy.
He’s built a thoroughly fulfilling 14-year English career on the back of that decision.
His body of work is one to be hugely proud of – and it’s far from finished.
The defender racked up 400 career appearances in December.
Highlights include promotion seasons for Shrewsbury, Coventry and Wycombe.
He scored at Wembley to help take Cov up from League Two in 2018 then made a triumphant return with the Chairboys two years later to reach the Championship.
‘There’s no right or wrong answer, every player has a different journey,’ Grimmer, now in his seventh Wycombe season, stressed.
‘I’m happy with the career and life I’ve carved out in England and the amazing experiences.
‘I knew I’d forever spend my time wondering ‘what if?’
‘It was too big a chance to pass up. I’ve seen lots of players come down and play a year or two in England then, when things don’t go their way, it’s an easy option returning to Scotland.
‘My aim was to carve out something like 400 games; I wanted to make a real impact.
‘I’m glad I stuck it out and managed to enjoy some longevity in England.
‘I’ve played at Wembley four times; winning twice.
‘Scoring there was one of my ultimate career moments and the Wycombe promotion was an absolute highlight.’
James Wilson made his Scotland debut in the Nations League play-off against Greece in 2025
As Wilson sets out on the development path, Grimmer reckons these could yet be the weeks and months that shape the rest of his career.
‘Be open, be curious, learn as much as you can,’ Grimmer advised.
‘The months until the end of the season will pass really quickly, I’ve no doubt.
‘Settle in, keep your head screwed on, which isn’t easy at times. Stay away from the bright lights of London!
‘Soak it all in – because you’re going to a massive club.
‘Keep working hard, doing the things that got you there in the first place.
‘Don’t think by any means you’ve cracked anything.
‘Because the minute you think you’re alright in football, that’s when everyone moves past you.’