Josh Ginnelly is one of a number of players to have quickly faded into the shadows at Preston North End in recent years.
Snapped up from Walsall in January 2019, Ginnelly was seen as a low-cost punt with some potential to become a first-team player.
Sadly, that just never happened for Ginnelly. In fact, his only start for the club came as a left back in a cup tie against Hull City.
That’s absolutely not what Ginnelly was brought in for, and it was no great shock when Preston started farming him out.
Ginnelly went to Bristol Rovers in January 2020, then to Heart of Midlothian in September 2020.
After impressing in Scotland, Hearts – whose recruitment is headed up by former Preston man Joe Savage – signed Ginnelly permanently.
With just nine appearances for Preston in all competitions, Ginnelly’s time at Deepdale was sadly forgettable.
Injuries have been a problem in Scotland, but Ginnelly played a key role in Hearts beating Dundee United 5-2 on Saturday.
Usually a winger and then trialled at left back, Ginnelly was deployed as a centre forward against Dundee United.
Hearts fans have been raving about Ginnelly’s display, which may suggest that Preston didn’t really utilise Ginnelly to the best of his ability.