Rangers loanee makes big impact in Northern Ireland
On-loan Rangers winger Jake Hastie made his first start of the season on Tuesday (8 February) as he helped Linfield go top of the NIFL Premiership.
The 22-year-old spent the first half of the season on loan at Partick Thistle in Scotland but couldn’t make himself a regular feature before being recalled in January.
Linfield then came calling and took Hastie for the remainder of the season and he made a big splash on his first start.
It was his wicked corner that evaded the Larne defenders before being turned home by former Motherwell striker Christy Manzinga on 73 minutes, turning out to be the winning goal with the game locked at 1-1 at the time.
Doing what he can
At 22 years of age, Hastie may have already missed his chance to breakthrough at Ibrox but that doesn’t necessarily spell the end of his footballing career.
He has the opportunity now to be a shining star for Linfield and potentially put the Northern Irish Premiership title on his CV as the Blues headed top following Glentoran’s draw against Portadown.
He may be released by the Light Blues when his contract expires but he has every chance to earn a deal elsewhere and make a name for himself.
His future could yet lie in Northern Ireland where he might become one of the league’s star players before earning a move onto the mainland of the UK further down the line.
Who knows, he may even return to Ibrox in the future having carved his own path in football.
In other Rangers news, there is a new hot prospect in Glasgow according to sources close to the club.