Rangers talent was compared to Gareth Bale, but he’s made yet another low-key Ibrox exit

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Rangers thought they had signed a star in Jake Hastie back in 2019, but he is quickly becoming a case of unfulfilled potential.

The Gers were seemingly desperate for wingers back in the summer of 2019 and frankly couldn’t stop signing them.

Jordan Jones, Brandon Barker and Ryan Kent all joined Rangers, with the latter the only one to really justify his arrival.

There was also Hastie, who seemed like a calculated punt from Rangers, even if it was a case of jumping the gun a little.

Hastie had shown blistering form in 2019. Seven goals in 15 games for Motherwell after a loan spell at Alloa Athletic suddenly catapulted him into the spotlight.

A strong and quick winger with a great left foot, Hastie earned staggeringly lofty comparisons to Gareth Bale for his style of play.

Very much a project due to his lack of top-flight action, Hastie was one for the future at Rangers.

Fast forward nearly three years and Hastie is looking more and more like a thing of the past for the Gers rather than their future.

Hastie has made just two competitive appearances for Rangers and spent most of his time out on loan.

First it was Rotherham United, then it was back to Motherwell. In the first half of this season, Hastie joined up with Partick Thistle but made no impact.

Towards the end of the January window, Hastie made another low-key Rangers exit. This time it was Linfield as Hastie made a loan move to Northern Ireland.

Hastie is absolutely drinking in the last chance saloon now. If he can’t get his career back on track under former Rangers striker David Healy then he has no chance at Ibrox.

Truth be told, Hastie’s Rangers chance may have already been and gone. It seems almost unfathomable to think of Hastie turning out for the Rangers first team.

Turning 23 later this month, Hastie looks a world away from those Bale comparisons and simply needs to get back to playing and thriving week in and week out.

Hopefully that comes at Linfield, but don’t expect a Rangers renaissance any time soon. The most likely outcome is that Hastie’s underwhelming time with Rangers comes to a permanent end this summer.