JAKE HASTIE didn’t collect any air miles as he passed up a summer in the sun. But he clocked up the kilometres to put him on the road to success.
While his friends and Motherwell team-mates jetted off at the end of last season, Hastie stayed at home. Less than 12 months on, his decision has proven to be a smart one.
A successful loan spell at Alloa paved the way for a return to Fir Park in January. Now, he has clinched a dream move to Rangers and penned a four-year deal at Ibrox.
Few would have believed Hastie’s rapid rise and rise at the start of the campaign. The forward always had faith in his own ability and a determination to make a name for himself.
“I did feel as though I would go out on loan but I felt if I did well then I would get my chance when I came back,” Hastie said as he reflected on a campaign that has seen him nominated for the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award. “That’s what happened and I hit the ground running. I did feel like that but I did not go anywhere in the summer.
READ MORE: How would Motherwell winger Jake Hastie fit in at Rangers?
“I just worked hard on my fitness and made sure I was ready for the season to come.
“The gaffer had told me I needed to be fitter and I knew I had a year left on my deal so that’s what I did. My friends were on holiday in Magaluf and Ibiza and places like that and I was back home at Dalziel running track making sure I did extra. But I came back flying and ready to go.
“I’ve always believed in my ability and I’ve always had confidence in what I can do. It’s just been about getting that chance to show I can do it. I just want to play at the highest level possible but I know it will take a lot of hard work to get there.
“My first game of the season was for Alloa, against Arbroath in the Betfred Cup. It’s amazing to end the season like this.
“To start at Alloa, play for Motherwell and be nominated for this award.
“It’s been a mental few months. Jim Goodwin’s man-management was brilliant and he told me that if I kept working hard I would get my chance back at Motherwell.
“I’ve worked really hard, even away from training, I’ve really given it 100 per cent. I live two minutes away from Motherwell’s ground, I have been there since I was nine.
“I’ve loved every minute at the club, it’s been a special place for me.”
READ MORE: Rangers confirm pre-contract deal for Motherwell forward Jake Hastie
Hastie would score three goals for Alloa as he played his part in their Championship survival bid in the first half of the season.
Now he will hope to be involved in a Premiership title challenge next term after joining Steven Gerrard’s side on a pre-contract deal.
Gerrard pointed to Hastie’s fine form for the Steelmen - including a run which saw him net four times in three matches - as Rangers confirmed the signing on Wednesday.
And the 20-year-old is pleased to have made the most of his chance as he quickly became a highly sought-after talent this term.
Hastie said: “I am absolutely delighted to be nominated for the award. It’s been a whirlwind few months for me, especially since coming back from Alloa.
“I went there to get more game time and more experience under my belt.
READ MORE: PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year shortlist announced
“Jim Goodwin was brilliant with me and he matured me as a player.
“I knew if I kept playing well there I would get my chance when I came back to Motherwell. I feel as though I’ve taken that chance.
“The gaffer put me in against Hibs, I felt I played well and things just seemed to go from there.
“I didn’t expect it, really. I’ve scored a few goals and some of them have been alright.
“The manager said I wasn’t quite ready at the start of the season which is why he sent me out on loan.
“He told me to go out and do well and he promised to bring me back in January. He put me in and I just had to keep repaying him.”
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules here