Hardie hopes Livi help him go from loan Ranger to star man
RYAN HARDIE insists he’ll continue using Livingston as the launchpad for his Rangers career.
The Ibrox striker has signed a one-year extension to his deal which ties him down to the summer of 2020 after impressing boss Steven Gerrard.
But he’s also been allowed to resume his loan spell with the Lions and continue his development with tomorrow’s Scottish Cup trip to Hearts.
He said: “I have loved it so far. BY GORDON PARKS It is my first experience of starting games in the Premiership and I’ve managed to get five goals in five games.
“I am looking forward to going there again, scoring more and proving I can do it at this level. A lot of thanks has to go to the gaffer for allowing me to do so.
“He could easily have kept me in the building and I would not have got as much game time as I would have wanted. It’s great he has realised that and wants me to play another six months of football so I can come back next season with a fresh view to playing for Rangers.”
The 21-year-old caught the eye during a warm weather training camp in Tenerife earlier this month and hitman Hardie is thrilled to cement his future with Rangers.
He said: “I’m absolutely delighted. The first time I was involved this season was the trip to Tenerife and I was over the moon with that chance to show what I can do.
“When he first came in I was injured and I only got playing again at the start of December.
“He would have seen what I was like from afar but he just wanted to assess me with a view to next year.
“Thankfully I have done enough to secure another contract and I am looking forward to kicking on.”