Having joined Hull City on loan from Luton Town in the January transfer window, Ryan Giles would quickly become a key component of the Tigers’ squad.
The left-back would make 17 appearances during his spell at the club, with eleven of those being starts. Despite losing just four times since Giles’ arrival, Hull would not quite do enough to make the Championship play-offs, which came with quite the consequence for manager Liam Rosenior.
Some perceived it as a rash decision but Rosenior would lose his job after failing to beat Plymouth Argyle on the final day which in turn meant that they missed out on the play-offs by just three points after finishing seventh. Having had a nomination for Championship manager of the season it was perhaps somewhat of a surprise that Rosenior lost his job, but then again, their end goal was not achieved.
Giles certainly had an impact during his time at the club, but did see a reduction in minutes towards the end of the season. Nonetheless he was a favourite at the MKM Stadium and is also a player that vice-chairman Tan Kesler highly rates.
The 24-year-old would in fact only join Luton from Wolves last summer for a reported £5 million fee. He’d however not be able to hold a starting spot down at Kenilworth Road, making five starts and six substitute appearances in the top flight.
He could well be on the move once again and isn’t opposed to returning to East Yorkshire. It has been reported by the Hull Daily Mail that the club hold an obligation to buy this summer for a fee of around £4 million if they wish.
Speaking to the same news outlet, Giles assessed his time with the club and gave a significant pointer as to where he could be playing his football next term.
“Everyone’s different, at the end of the day and I can’t speak for anyone else, but just for me, personally, I’m at my happiest and most confident when I’m playing consistently, and I think that was something I really wanted to do and the club have offered me that.
“I can’t take my position for granted because there’s a brilliant squad of players (at Hull). I think you just have to do what I can as a player. I wanted to play, and obviously, they’ve been able to offer me that so I appreciate that.”
When asked whether he’d want to stay at the club after his loan, the defender replied:
“One hundred per cent. It’s a great club. Honestly, there’s some really good people down there. I’ve got nothing but good words for everybody. Everyone’s made me feel really, really at home, even the fans as well. The fans have taken to me really well, which I really appreciate.
All these things as a player help you settle in quickly and that was what it was about the day when I walked through the door. You don’t take those things for granted I don’t think, well, I certainly don’t. I certainly remember. It’s been really good, but that’s thanks to the club.
“There’s no better feeling is that it brings, I think a lot of confidence out in a player, and they’ve expressed that to me as well, which has been lovely.”
Writer’s View
Although the step-up to the Premier League may have been one step too far currently, Giles is an excellent defensive option at the level and has proved his worth during his loan spell. Hull may well take up the obligation to buy which could be deemed a significant fee but they would in turn be getting potentially one of the best left backs in the league.
It’s set to be a summer of change at the MKM Stadium following Rosenior’s departure and the club are yet to find a successor. They’ll ultimately have the final say in whether a deal is made or not but by Giles’ comments, a return seems likely.
For the club, they’ll once again have the same goal next term ; promotion to the Premier League. The new manager will want to hit the ground running in order to not suffer the same fate that their predecessor did and a good summer of recruitment will aid their cause.
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