Jake Hastie has taken the Scottish Premiership by storm ever since he came back from his loan spell from Alloa Athletic and joined Motherwell’s first team in January. The winger was chosen as February’s player of the month, and his impressive displays started drawing other club’s attention towards him. Celtic are one of the clubs linked with a move for him in the summer, and some Championship outfits are also said to be interested.
However, if latest reports from the Scottish Sun are to go by then Rangers are on the brink of agreeing on a pre-contract deal with the 20-year-old. Hastie is currently in the final few months of his contract with the Well and after the display like the one he showed in February, a move to a top club was always going to be on the cards.
Celtic fans and board should be disappointed if Rangers manage to get this deal through as there is no way that their Old Firm rivals should beat them given the better financial situation they are in currently. We are still few months from the end of the season but Rangers have shown their proactive nature in the transfer market and they are seemingly close to sealing a deal for Hastie.
Celtic have two top wingers in the form of James Forrest and Scott Sinclair. Forrest though has attracted interest from Premier League heavyweights Liverpool and it would be tough for the Hoops to keep hold of him if the Merseyside club comes in all guns blazing to secure his signature.
Apart from that, Celtic have Lewis Morgan and Jonny Hayes who can play in the wide regions but they have struggled to establish themselves in the first team. Timothy Weah and Oliver Burke are also going to depart in the summer, so the club is going to lose some attacking options.
Hastie has the potential to be the next big thing in Scottish football and he can be a brilliant signing for Rangers if he goes on to realise his true potential in a few years time. What makes the youngster stand out is his impact in the final third.
Often young and inexperienced wingers are naive with their decision making in the final third but the 20-year-old has shown maturity beyond his age on occasions in the past few months. There is no doubt that he looks like a real deal and moreover, what makes this move more impressive is that he is going to be available on a free transfer. Celtic are making a huge blunder by letting Rangers have their man.
