Irons hopes homework makes Irish test easier
EUAN McLEAN STENNY v WATERFORD
RANGERS loan kid Jake Hastie chose Rotherham from a string of suitors because they impressed his two most important influences – his manager and his mum.
Millers coach Matt Hamshaw was first to make a good impression on Steven Gerrard when they studied on the same Pro Licence coaching course.
Clearly Gerrard had heard enough about his ethos on creating a positive culture for young footballers to grow to know he could trust Rotherham with his promising summer signing from Motherwell.
But having convinced Rangers the English League One side was the best option for him to develop with a season-long loan the real accidental masterstroke came when manager Paul Warne picked up the phone and spoke to Hastie himself.
Warne said: “I FaceTimed him for about an hour. I was completely honest, as always, saying he could come here and fight and that we’re good people who would look after him. “I asked him, ‘Do you want me to speak to your parents or anything like that?’ and then his mum chirped up from the background saying she’d heard everything I’d just said.
“Fortunately, I didn’t swear once. I’m very pleased about that!”
Yet it was catching Gerrard’s eye during that Pro Licence course earlier that summer that may have had the biggest impact behind Rotherham beating a string of clubs in the chase to land the Scotland Under 21s rising star. Warne said: “When Hammy did his presentation on his Pro Licence it was about the culture we have here and how we changed the culture when we took over. “Maybe Stevie G liked all that and it added to the trust that is there. This is a nice place to come to and play football. I don’t know if we’re a dying breed but there aren’t loads of clubs who play with out-and-out wingers. I’ve always loved them. “Of all the English clubs who fancied him we must have looked the most attractive.” So far so good. Scoring in each of his first three appearances the 20-year-old was an instant hit in the Rotherham set-up and already fans are fearing an extended run of good form between now and Christmas could see him recalled to Ibrox in January. But that prospect is still a long way off as Hastie continues to develop, including improving his fitness to adapt to the relentless demands of an uncompromising league. Warne added: “He’s hit the ground running but he’s always blowing, bless him. He’s not yet 100 per cent match fit sport@dailyrecord.co.uk but he’s getting a little bit fitter each time. People forget Jake’s just a young lad.
“He’s just out of his teens and he’s moved to a different country. Until recently he’s always lived at home and his mum has always done things for him.
“We’re trying to get him to make all the right decisions because we need him to get stronger and fitter. Ideally, we need him to play virtually every minute of every game if his form keeps up.
“I don’t think they have as many midweek fixtures in Scotland as we do down here. Jake said to me the other week it was the first time in his career he’d played three matches in eight days.
“Trying to get him fitter and ready to play games, that’s got to be based on good nutritional foundations.
“What I like about him is he’s a no-fuss footballer. He doesn’t do 15 stepovers and then do nothing with the ball.
“All he wants to do is get down the outside of full-backs and put crosses in. He’s a dream for us, a great kid and we’re lucky to have him.
“The way of the world now, young players watch YouTube videos and they’re all obsessed with doing round-the-worlds and nutmegs. That isn’t really proper league football. Jake plays with greater maturity than his age.”
Rangers will be pleased by the reports on their young prodigy, signed from Motherwell in the summer after 11 goals last season.
Hastie’s in no doubt he is in good hands as he strives to raise his standards to come back and battle for a place in the Rangers team next season.
He said: “The gaffer has been absolutely brilliant with me. He’s a different kind of gaffer. You’ll come in for training and he’ll have a laugh with you. That’s a good thing.
“He gets to know the boys. It’s like a big family really. I’m enjoying it down here.”
Warne added: “We’re doing all we can for him.
“Hopefully, when he does go back to Rangers he’ll be a better player and more-rounded person than when he came here.
“That would help our relationship with them.”