Rotherham United boss Paul Warne on why Leicester City striker George Hirst is a 'brilliant acquisition'

George Hirst had been on Rotherham's wanted list since way back in 2017 when the striker was a youngster at Sheffield Wednesday.

Boss Paul Warne finally landed his man last week as the 21-year-old signed a season-long loan from Leicester.

He was named on the bench for Saturday's 1-0 defeat against Millwall but came on in the second half and made a real impact as his new side were chasing the game.

Hirst almost scored with his first touch, he was strong in the air and looked dangerous with the ball at his feet.

It was clearly obvious why Warne and his recruitment staff had wanted him for so long.

“You can see why I brought George to the club,” Warne said. “He needs to get used to how we play, he has only trained two days but I think he is a brilliant acquisition and every time it goes into him you think something is going to happen.

“I am not saying he is rapid but his movement is really quick, but he is tidy and just seems to make something happen all the time.

“His game, he is not like a child, he is mature as a player and person and I think he will be great.”

Hirst was first on Warne's shopping list three years ago and Carlos Carvalhal, the then Wednesday manager wanted him to make the move across the M1.

But for whatever reason it did not happen at that time and Hirst's acrimonious exit from Hillsborough and subsequent move to OH Leuven seemed to end the chance of a move to Rotherham.

But Hirst's switch to Leicester opened the door and the Millers doubled their efforts to get him back to South Yorkshire.

“A lot of time went into making it happen,” Warne added. “I've wanted him for the last two and a half years. I've been desperate to get him in.

“We've been updated regularly by Leicester. Rob Scott has been speaking to Jon Rudkin, Leicester's head of recruitment, and George's agent constantly.

“We just had to be patient, as you do with the Premier League loans. It's good to get him through the door. It's a right boost to our attacking line.”

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