James Wilson would have been better off staying at Hearts than going to Tottenham – and I told both him and his agent that, says Derek McInnes

Derek McInnes believes James Wilson would have been better off staying at Hearts than joining Tottenham’s Under-21s.

In a surprise deadline-day move, the 18-year-old Scotland cap signed for Spurs until the end of the season, with the terms of the loan including an option to buy for the London club.

Wilson, who also attracted interest from Arsenal, has scored eight goals in 45 appearances since making his breakthrough last season but has struggled for game time this term as the Gorgie side have surged to the top of the Premiership.

‘James wanted to go, so you don’t want to keep a player who then becomes unhappy,’ said manager McInnes, addressing the striker’s move for the first time. ‘I couldn’t guarantee him minutes, such is the way it’s been.

‘I told him and his agent, they knew that our preference was to stay, fight for your place, be part of something, we’ll get you a loan in Scotland if need be, if you need to top your minutes up and we can maybe recall you, so you still get the best of both worlds.

‘But his head was turned with the Tottenham thing. First of all it was Arsenal, then Arsenal went quiet, and then all of a sudden Tottenham came to the table Monday afternoon.

Derek McInnes admitted he wanted Wilson to stay at Hearts but the player wanted to move 

‘I don’t think it’s the right move for him. Ultimately, it’s academy football and I think he’s better than that. But it was something James wanted to do.

‘So like I say, we made it clear that our preference was for him to stay and be part of something here. But he made the decision and I hope it goes well for him because he’s a great kid and we’ll see how it plays out.

‘But for us, I just need to concentrate on the players who are here and who want to be here and who want to play their part.’