The on-loan star has been in electric form in recent weeks
Barry Cooper Hull City correspondent
09:00, 10 Dec 2025
Joe Gelhardt made it 10 goals for the season against Boro(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
Former Hull City star Michael Dawson and legendary ex-Championship boss Neil Warnock have praised Joe Gelhardt after the frontman netted his 10th goal of the season on Friday night.
Gelhardt‘s second-half penalty meant little in the context of the game with City already 4-0 down to Middlesbrough by the time he converted the spot-kick he won, but it took his tally to double figures for the season.
It looks like the in-form star won’t be adding to his tally this week when the Tigers host Wrexham after coming off against Boro with a calf problem, which is expected to keep him sidelined for a period.
The on-loan Leeds United star has now bagged eight goals in his last 10 games and is the league’s form player, with both Dawson and Warnock keen to see him remain at the MKM Stadium beyond the upcoming January window when there could be interest from other clubs.
“Some of the players they brought in, I think Joe Gelhardt’s arguably one of the signings of the season, coming from Leeds,” Dawson said on Sky Sports. “We talk about Oli McBurnie and his experience. Mo Belloumi, who came on at half-time (against Stoke), made a difference.
“He (Gelhardt) came in last year on loan and enjoyed his time, and he’s certainly repaying the faith that the manager has shown in him. He’s been the bright spark. He’s one of the reasons that Hull City are where they are.
“His tenth for the season. There weren’t many positives, but I think there was a better performance in the second half. The only mistake Hayden Hackney made. It was a consolation goal, but a tough, tough night for Hull City.”
Former Sheffield United boss Warnock likened in-form Gelhardt to Dean Saunders, admitting he was impressed with the forward’s work ethic.
“He’s a manager’s player, him,” the experienced ex-boss said. “I once said about Dean Saunders. I used to call him a little rat because he never let anybody have any time. In a nice way, and he’s like that. He never gives anybody time. I love watching him.
“I think the Championship’s his level. I’m not being detrimental. I think he’s still learning, and he could go on, like when we talk about Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney, it’s similar, they can go on to better things, I think, the pair of them. I’ve been impressed with his finishing. I just think he’s such a good lad.”
Former Tiger Dawson, who came up against Gelhardt when he broke through at Wigan while playing for Nottingham Forest, believes the 25-year-old has found a home at the MKM Stadium.
“I remember playing against Joe Gelhardt when he was at Wigan. Really young player, he came on at the City ground, and I thought, who’s this young talent, really, really young. Very excited about him, and I spoke to a few people there, and they were like, ‘This guy’s going to be next level. He went to Leeds and found it hard, and then they got promoted to the Premier League.
“Probably you go to that level and the size of the football club, truth be known, and then you don’t play, and it’s hard for a young player if you don’t go to a football club and play consistently, then he has another loan. He seems to have found his home at Hull City last year and certainly this year.”
Dawson hopes City are able to keep Gelhardt beyond January, with the player happy in East Yorkshire and keen to remain for the remainder of the campaign.
“You go, right, does someone else need him in the Premier League because he won’t play at Leeds, but then do you go somewhere else? I’m sure he’s happy, he’s enjoying himself, and that’s what he’s all about.”
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