According to the latest reports from the Daily Star, Ranger are close to securing their first piece of business for the summer as Jake Hastie is set to have a medical soon. An official announcement could be made in the next 72 hours. The deal for the Motherwell winger has been on and off in the past few months, but it seems like Gerrard has finally managed to secure his signature.
What are the detractors to this signing say?
Jake Hastie is a left winger, but that is one area where Rangers have plenty of cover. Even if Steven Gerrard isn’t able to sign Ryan Kent (or Hastie) again in the summer, the Bears will have three options for the left wing spot. They have already secured the signature of Jordan Jones from Kilmarnock. Glenn Middleton is already there at the club, and he did show some promising signs in the early part of the season.
Last summer’s signing Jamie Murphy (who has been almost forgotten due to his long term injury) should also be back available the next season so the Gers will end up having four left wingers including Hastie. The manager has already mentioned how he desperately wants to sign Ryan Kent, and if they manage to secure that signing, then Gerrard can field a basketball team of left wingers.
Why should the fans be delighted though?
It’s true that the Bears are loading up on too many similar players, but Hastie’s deal takes the pressure off them for securing the Ryan Kent deal. The gaffer has already mentioned that he still doesn’t know what Liverpool’s intentions are and has already walked out from the race for signing him permanently with the figures which are doing the rounds. Kent has settled in well at the club, but he could be in demand in the summer. So Hastie’s signing will take some pressure off the club.
Moreover, the Bears aren’t spending any money on the Scottish winger as his contract with the Well is set to expire soon. Given the talent which Hastie has, on a free transfer, it’s a massive coup for the club.
To go with that, Hastie can easily play down the right flank as an inverted winger. Daniel Candeias has been far too inconsistent with his performances, and he will have major competition for places once Hastie comes into the team.
Without even talking about his abilities, we have counted out three advantages of signing him. Now coming to his on-field performances, in his first proper season, the winger has managed six goals in the Premiership in 12 appearances. That is the same number of goals Ryan Kent has to his name in 23 games. Now we are not comparing the players right now, but just stating facts on how effective Hastie is in the final third. On a free transfer, this is definitely a top signing by Gerrard.
