Robbo hoping to hang on to Hastie
Motherwell are facing a battle to keep hold of rising star Jake Hastie this summer after the Law youngster again impressed a host of scouts.
Has t i e’s spectacular thunderbolt broke the deadlock against St Mirren last Wednesday, helping the club to their fifth league win in a row.
And the 19- year old’s inpressive display won’t have gone unnoticed with representatives from English Championship contenders Norwich, Leeds and West Brom all present, with scouts from Sunderland and Swansea also in attendance.
Gaffer Stephen Robinson is determined to keep hold of the youngster, who turns 20 next month, with Hastie potentially up for grabs at a cut-price development fee at the end of the current campaign.
Robbo said: “You’ve got to be careful with your expectations because Jake is a young boy who’s just come into the team but he’s been absolutely terrific.
“The advantage he’s had is he’s been out playing football — not under-20s or reserve football, where the pace and the intensity is completely false.
“He was playing men’s football at Alloa and we’re great believers in that at this football club.”
Robbo insists he will also manage Hastie’s workload, to ensure he doesn’t burn out his energy levels too soon.
He said: “Jake’s a big boy and he’ll be okay but if I feel it’s right to take him out for a bit then I will do.
“As long as he has the energy levels and the performance — and that something we’ll monitor — he’ll stay in the side. “He’s right at the start his career but he’s a very exciting player.
“We don’t have any problems with our youngsters because they have great examples in Allan Campbell, Chris Cadden and David Turnbull, who are level-headed boys who just get on with things.”
Hastie scored on his full debut in a Scottish Cup loss to Ross County. And he will be hoping he gets the nod again as the Steelmen look to make it six league wins in a row on Sunday when Hearts visit Fir Park.
He’s been absolutely terrific.”