It spoke to the immediate impact that the 17-year-old made, wasting precious little time in showcasing his ability in a senior environment where three points on a Saturday is the demand.
Gentles would go on to rack up over 1,000 minutes in a Wasps shirt after joining the club on loan in January, which was testament to the faith that his manager and teammates had in his ability at the top end of the pitch.
Speaking to the official Rangers website, he reflected on his loan spell in League One: “I felt like I adapted a lot.
“I came on in the first game against Inverness and felt personally that it would be a real, big challenge.
“But then after I made a few starts, I began to become more used to it and it became easier to play at the level.
“How was the level of League One? It was tough at times.
“The games against top half teams were always really good games, but the matches against sixth or below were always different challenges.
“Every game was tough; there was no easy game.
“It was very different. I’m used to training at 10 o’clock every day so training in the evening was a big change, especially when you’re not getting back until 11pm and training once again the next day.
“It was different, but I got used to it.”
By Gentles’ fifth appearance for Alloa he had already registered three goal contributions, netting in a thrilling 4-3 win away at Annan Athletic.
The 17-year-old often led the line for the Wasps, while he also played in support of a more conventional forward.
Indeed, he reveals he struck up a helpful rapport with Conor Sammon, now 38 but boasting a wealth of experience in the English Premier League and Scottish Premiership.
Gentles continued: “I think it helped me to learn.
“I learned a lot from Conor Sammon who has played in the Premiership.
“He was showing me even small things in training. One of my goals came from [his advice], not standing still and just moving five yards one way. He helped me so much.
“Every player helped me in different ways that I hadn’t been used to coming from an academy environment.”
Alloa looked poised to secure a play-off position as the final weeks of the campaign approached, especially after a resounding 4-1 win over Stenhousemuir in which Gentles was on the scoresheet.
However, a final day defeat to Kelty Hearts eliminated the Wasps from play-off contention.
He added: “I was gutted to miss out on the play-offs in the last game.
“It was a game that I wanted to play in against Championship opposition, to see the level.
“I wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much if we weren’t fighting for the play-offs. Every game mattered to everyone.
“All the boys believed that we would get the play-offs, but we just fell short.”
Still, Gentles is keen not to allow the disappointment of the season’s conclusion cloud an enjoyable loan spell at the club.
The experience threw challenges in his direction, but he believes he’s all the better for the four months he spent with the Wasps.
The challenge now, he insists, is kicking on over the summer at the Light Blues.
He added: “It was good to get out and play games, at a good level as well. I think I’ve improved from it.
“The first thing that I wanted going into it was to become a better player at the end of it.
“I think the loan has put me in good stead. It was successful in terms of minutes, and I felt I made a good impact in the team, so I think I’m ready to make the step up.”
