TARON Hare is determined that the blow of leaving home-town club Scunthorpe will help launch his career at York City.

The 18-year-old defender, who was the Iron’s youth-team skipper, ended a decade-long association with the Glanford Park outfit when he was released in May.

But former Scunthorpe boss Russ Wilcox has handed Hare a one-year deal at Bootham Crescent with the teenager saying: “I was born in Scunthorpe and played for them for ten years so it was definitely disappointing to be released, but I didn't get upset.

“It was more a kick up the backside and coming here has turned it into a positive. I was involved in the first team at Scunny under Russ when I got a few pre-season games and the manager had a big influence in me coming here.

“He puts on sessions after the general session if you want to do extra and I can only learn from him as a former centre half. I texted him when I was released and he didn't have to give me a trial, so it was very kind of him to give me chance.

“The trial went on for a long time and I wasn't sure what would happen but I got what I wanted out of it in the end. Now, I want to push and push myself to maybe get in starting line-up.”

With experienced City central-defensive trio Keith Lowe (375), John McCombe (325) and Dave Winfield (233) boasting more than 900 professional appearances between them, Hare also reckons that he is in the right place to further his football education.

“They are teaching me to calm down a bit on the ball,” he explained. “Sometimes, I can rush things and take one touch when I could take more but they have told me to be more composed when possible.”

Hare has volunteered himself, meanwhile, for a variety of roles at Bootham Crescent, adding: “When I was at Scunthorpe, Russ first played me at right back and then I played at centre back.

“I feel comfortable in both positions and also like playing right wing-back because you get more of the ball there.”