How Leicester City striker and former Sheffield Wednesday man George Hirst will fit in at Rotherham United

Here, The Star takes a look at how he will fit in at the Millers.

Feeling at home

Back in South Yorkshire, Hirst should have no problems settling in at the Millers as it is a place where he will feel wanted. Boss Paul Warne has been chasing Hirst's signature for the last two years and a deal was close in 2017 when the striker was still at Hillsborough. The environment that Warne has nurtured at Rotherham means it is an easy dressing room to go into and Hirst is looking forward to it, saying: “I spoke to the gaffer before it all got sorted and he expressed that he had been after me for a couple of windows now and for me that was quite a big thing.”

Point to prove

Hirst comes to the New York Stadium, he feels, with a point to prove. Perhaps it is related to his acrimonious exit from Hillsborough – one he is refusing to talk about it – but the 21-year-old has said that “there are a lot of people who think I can't do it”. Hirst has virtually no experience of men's football in this country, so is coming to the Millers looking to make a statement. And if he can do it on the doorstep of where he grew up then that will make it all the more sweeter for him.

Goals

Fundamentally, he has been signed by Warne to score goals. The Millers chief has been moaning all season about his side's failure to take chances and that is something they cannot do in the Championship. Hirst should be able to help in that department as he was prolific at youth level for Wednesday and England. He backs himself to make an impact at South Yorkshire and thinks the move will work out. He said: “I back myself to the end, I know the qualities I have can help this team and that is why I came to Rotherham. The way they play and my style of play, hard working, balls in behind, chasing lost causes and scoring goals. I think it is a good partnership.”

End of the road for some?

Hirst's arrival could spell bad news for others in the Millers camp. Warne now has five strikers to choose from as the Leicester man joins Freddie Ladapo, Kyle Vassell, Michael Smith and Jamie Proctor. That is a large choice when sometimes the boss only plays one up front and has Matt Crooks in a number 10 role. Warne has said that Proctor is fifth choice currently and he is not even getting into the matchday squad, so would be allowed to leave if someone else came in for him.

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