Hull City are headed for the play-offs on a dramatic afternoon for the Leeds United loan striker
Joe Gelhardt’s season is not over just yet(Image: Ashley Allen/Getty Images)
Leeds United loanee Joe Gelhardt’s hopes of helping Hull City earn promotion to the Premier League remain alive after the club earned a crucial 2-1 win over Norwich City to grab the last Championship play-off spot.
The Tigers – who had not won since March 21, came back from a goal down – with Gelhardt winning the penalty that saw double goalscorer Oli McBurnie hammer home an equaliser in the first half.
The Yorkshire club, who had spent the majority of the season in the play-offs, went into the final day needing to win while hoping Wrexham did not defeat Middlesbrough. The Welsh side ended up drawing 2-2.
Despite the changing of places between Derby County and Wrexham at several points in the afternoon, it is Hull and Gelhardt who retain Premier League dreams ahead of a play-off semi-final meeting with Millwall.
Gelhardt ends the regular season with 14 goals and five assists, having started 35 of the 39 league games he has been available for.
The striker, whose contract expires in 2027, is unlikely to work his way into Daniel Farke’s squad, having been deemed surplus to requirements for this season. It is likely that Hull is his best chance of Premier League football next season, unless another promoted club swoops in.
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Leeds had initially looked to sell Gelhardt last summer before eventually concluding that a loan to Hull – who have been unable to pay transfer fees for players this season – was best.
Club owner Acun Ilicali and sporting director Jared Dublin have both publicly made clear their desire to sign Gelhardt permanently, with the player – who also spent the second half of last season at the MKM Stadium – settled and happy at the Tigers.
Gelhardt himself spoke about the possibility of staying at Hull long term last month. He said: “It’d be stupid to say no because I’ve played my best year of football here; it’s obviously more difficult than just making a decision.
“I’m enjoying it that much. I love playing for this club. Nothing is certain in football, and things change, but we can only take it game by game. I think everyone knows how much I love it here.
“In football, you’re never certain, so many things can happen so quickly. As footballers, you’ve got to get used to the unknown, and I definitely am. Things happen quickly, and let’s see what happens.”