Hamilton Accies move 11 years in the making for ex-Motherwell man Jake Hastie as he reveals Rankin call quickly sold him on switch

New signing Jake Hastie says one phone call from boss John Rankin sold him on a move to Hamilton Accies.

And the former Rangers and Motherwell winger revealed the move is 11 years in the making, having twice been close to joining Accies as a youngster.

Hastie completed a six-month loan move from English National League side Hartlepool United last week and both parties hope to make that switch permanent at the end of the season when Hastie’s Hartlepool contract expires.

For now, the 24-year-old is focusing on getting games under his belt again and he has explained how enthusiastic gaffer Rankin encouraged him to return home to Scotland.

Hastie, who hails from Law and now lives in Hamilton, said: “It’s great to be here.

“Once I spoke to the gaffer on the phone about coming to the club, his enthusiasm really sold me.

“As soon as I put the phone down I turned to my agent and said: I want to sign there.

“The chance to win promotion with the team, fight for my place in the team and get games under my belt was something I was really attracted to.

“There is a lot of quality everywhere in the team and competition for places. It is a really good squad, especially for League One.

“I want to get as many goals and assists as I can but, most importantly, work as hard as I can for the team. There is a good group here and I know a lot of the boys as well.”

Hastie was a hero at Accies’ Lanarkshire rivals Motherwell after coming through the youth academy there and having a sparkling half a season in the first team that earned him a big, but ill-fated, move to Rangers in 2019.

But he revealed he was close to becoming an Accie before his breakthrough at Fir Park, and admits playing for the New Douglas Park outfit has been a long time