Motherwell were beaten 2-0 by St Johnstone on Saturday, confirming their eighth place finish in the Premiership this season. The main talking point from the game wasn’t the football, rather the verbal abuse launched at Motherwell’s Jake Hastie from a minority of Well supporters.
The youngster is leaving Fir Park for Rangers this summer after a drawn out transfer saga. Saturday could have been the 19-year old’s last appearance in claret and amber.
Hastie is joining Rangers this summer. (photo by David Young/Action Plus via Getty Images)
It’s a shame things have ended so sourly between Hastie and the Steelmen. He definitely didn’t deserve a verbal attack, but that was always going to happen.
Hastie has ruined his relationship with Well fans, but abuse is still not right
The winger has helped change Motherwell’s season for the better. He’s contributed seven goals in 15 games and has been a creative spark on the wing. David Turnbull and Hastie have been deadly for Stephen Robinson’s side in 2019.
His bits of brilliance have brought joy to supporters, but it isn’t hard to see why Motherwell fans are angry with Hastie. Just a few months ago he told the BBC “I don’t want to go anywhere,” before moving to Ibrox.
Hastie contradicted his quote. (Photo by Christian Cooksey/Getty Images)
Many have seen him as ungrateful. Robinson gave him a chance at first team football after spells at Alloa and Airdrieonians. Some see Hastie’s move as the winger jumping at the first opportunity to leave the club.
Hastie playing the “I don’t want to go anywhere” card has also been met with anger. The youngster clearly had it in his mind he wouldn’t be at Motherwell for much longer, so why would he say he isn’t going to be leaving?
It could be said Hastie is chasing the money rather than a long football career. He would have been a guaranteed starter at Fir Park, but now will be a squad player at Ibrox, on a much bigger wage.
The youngster will not play much at Ibrox. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
Does this warrant abuse by his own fans? Of course not, but it’s important to remember this was just a loud minority. Most Well fans aren’t happy with Hastie, but know that directing abuse at him isn’t right.
Plenty of players look likely to leave Fir Park this summer, whether that be the end of their loan or their contract is expiring. The reason they aren’t being abused is because some have been good servants to the club, or just need a fresh change as they haven’t played enough minutes.
Some aren’t even signed players, with Tom Aldred and Gboly Ariyibi returning to their parent clubs this summer. People can accept these circumstances. What they can’t deal with is lying and showing zero loyalty to the cause.
Players like Ariyibi aren’t forcing their way out. (Photo by David Young/Action Plus via Getty Images)
Hastie’s verbal abuse was wrong. If people thought Saturday’s was bad though, it’ll be much worse if he plays in blue at Fir Park next season