In our Loan Watch feature series, the Football Transfer Tavern take a look at how a selection of players from a particular club are faring while away from their parent sides on loan, and provide a brief update regarding their form.
Rangers continued their winning ways this week as they managed to overcome two difficult away trips. Steven Gerrard’s side managed to keep the pressure at the top of the Scottish Premiership table with an emphatic victory over St. Johnstone, whilst they also kept their hopes of winning some silverware alive with a hard-fought victory over Livingston in the Scottish League Cup to progress to the semi-finals – where they will meet Heart of Midlothian in November.
However, things have not been plain sailing for a number of the Gers’ loan contingent this week, as some of them found themselves finding wins hard to come by.
Here are how just some of them got on away from Ibrox in their recent outings…
Jake Hastie
To say Hastie has been impressive whilst on loan at Rotherham might be considered an understatement by some and it would not be too hard to disagree with.
The winger has been in terrific form for the League One outfit this season so far and has been a thorn in a number of defences the Millers have come up against in recent matches. He has been averaging 2.8 shots per game and has made 1.8 key passes per 90 minutes he has been on the field (WhoScored).
Prior to the weekend’s fixture with Shrewsbury Town at the New York Stadium, the Scotland Under-21 international had a record of one goal in every game (three goals), however, he was unable to add to that tally against the Shrews as they played out a goalless draw (Transfermarkt).
Hastie, 21, will be hoping he can get himself back on the scoresheet next Saturday when they travel to Bristol Rovers.
Eduardo Herrera
Although it might be, perhaps, unkind, Eduardo Herrera has been nothing but a flop for Rangers since joining the club back in 2017 (club official website).
He made just 24 appearances for the Gers, scoring just two goals and providing one assist in that time (Transfermarkt), before being told his services were no longer required at Ibrox.
Indeed, he was sent out on loan to Liga MX outfit Necaxa and has had to settle for a place on the substitutes’ bench more often than not. However, the 31-year-old has gone on to make a total of seven appearances in that time (WhoScored).
Herrera may be struggling to get a significant number of minutes under his belt, however he is starting to find his feet – even if it is, perhaps, too late for Rangers. The former Mexico international has netted one goal (against Tiburones Rojos de Veracruz in a 7-0 win), provided an assist in the game against Leon at the weekend but was limited to just 14 minutes against Queretaro FC on Wednesday night.
Robbie McCrorie
With the options available to Gerrard between the sticks, it was hardly a surprise to see Robbie McCrorie leave Ibrox on loan this summer and it appears to be turning out to be a good move for the Scotland Under-21 international.
Having joined Scottish Championship outfit Queen of the South, the young ‘keeper has become a mainstay in the side as he tries to help them solidify their position in Scotland’s second tier in their centenary year.
McCrorie has played in all six league fixtures so far this season, having conceded five goals, although he has kept two clean sheets as well (Transfermarkt).
Although he was unable to prevent Queen of the South from being defeated by Inverness Caledonian Thistle at the weekend, the 21-year-old put in a Man of the Match performance as he was able to keep the promotion contenders at bay for much of the game.
It will be pleasing for Rangers to see that both Hastie and McCrorie are getting regular minutes at their respective loan clubs and are performing to reasonably high standards.
Those two individuals are likely to have futures at Ibrox should they continue to progress and the competitive football they are receiving now could be crucial to their development.
In truth, there might not be too much concern about what Herrera does in Mexico as it does not appear as though he will have the opportunity to return to Glasgow and show Gerrard what he can offer, with the manager not wanting him at Auchenhowie (Football Scotland).
Rangers fans, how well do you think the aforementioned players are doing away from the club? Let us know your thoughts by sharing them in the comments section below!
