“Pick the phone up” – Rotherham United boss Steve Clarke responds to Jordan Hugill, Plymouth Argyle rumours

 

The Rotherham Advertiser reports that Steve Evans, the manager of Rotherham United, has refuted any suggestions that striker Jordan Hugill will be joining Plymouth Argyle.

The club has not gotten in touch with Devon over the availability of their striker, who moved to the New York Stadium in January 2023, according to the former Stevenage manager.

The goal of the Pilgrims, led by former Manchester United player Wayne Rooney, is to complete deals early in the summer. Full-back Nathanael Ogbeta has already left the team after being released by Swansea City.

Signing a striker will be a top priority for those at Home Park during the off-season because the Greens struggled to score goals in the second part of the season. However, Evans acknowledges that no discussions have yet taken place over their 32-year-old goal scorer.

Jordan Hugill and Plymouth Argyle connections are downplayed by Rotherham United manager Steve Evans.

Hugill joined the Yorkshire team in the 22/23 season and has since scored ten goals in the league, helping the perennial Championship underdogs to stay in the division.

With just five goals from his 39 league games, the former Preston North End player found last season to be a more difficult prospect. United concluded the season with just five wins.

Despite social media speculations, Argyle has not expressed any firm interest in the player as of yet. However, the Greens will probably be trying to make up for their clumsy actions during the last few months of the previous season, which led to their own relegation struggle.

The Devon team’s lack of firepower and inventiveness following the retirement of former manager Steven Schumacher was evident as they failed to score more than once in any of their final 12 league games of the season.

Although Evans maintains that a deal for Hugill is improbable at this time, Rooney is the man tasked with helping Argyle find their rhythm in front of goal for the upcoming campaign. Rooney will be intent on bringing a new striker or two to the club.

“I read the reports and so I spoke to Jordan and he intimated to me that he wasn’t aware of anything and if he did he would let me know as a matter of professional respect,” the man stated to the Rotherham Advertiser.

“In the few time I’ve known Jordan, I’ve discovered that he’s a really nice boy and, based on referrals from folks like David Moyes, a really honest young man.

“Wayne Rooney is yet to establish himself as a manager, despite being a legendary player. Wayne is someone I know; he has my number, and I have no doubt that he will call if he’s interested.

“As a club, we will decide what to do on that one if Plymouth wants to have some dialogue.”

Steve Evans signs fresh players right away following Rotherham United’s comeback.

Evans left Stevenage in April and secured a stunning return to the New York Stadium. Ahead of his team’s assault on League One in the forthcoming season, Evans has already made a lot of preparations.

Since leaving the Championship, the Millers have welcomed seven new players to their roster. Jonson Clarke-Harris, pictured, has also rejoined the Yorkshire team following his release from Peterborough United.

Hugill may be available for the Pilgrims to sign as a result of that trade, and if both of the seasoned attackers stay at the team, they will likely compete for the first-team spot.

Along with former Northampton Town player Shaun McDonald, Clarke-Harris will be joined by fellow newcomers Reece James and Liam Kelly from Sheffield Wednesday and Coventry City, respectively.

Along with Portsmouth’s Joe Rafferty and Sean Raggett, who were both promoted from League One in the previous season, is playmaker Joe Powell of Burton Albion who is moving to Rotherham this summer.

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