I’LLHOLTRYAN BACK FROM PUSHING IT
Gardyne return is like a new signing for County
BY ALAN MARSHALL GARY HOLT admits he has been forced to put the reins on hitman Ryan Hardie after the on-loan Rangers kid made his Livingston comeback against Kilmarnock.
The return of the 21-year-old was a notable silver lining for the Lions as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Rugby Park on Wednesday night, entering the fray on the hour mark to replace Dolly Menga.
It was Hardie’s first outing since a 1-0 triumph against Hamilton on September 15 and just his second appearance of the entire campaign after battling a persistent ankle complaint.
Holt has no doubt the promising poacher will go on to have a major part to play in Livi’s season, having notched eight goals in 17 games during his first loan stint with the club last term.
But he will not gamble with the youngster’s fitness. Holt said: “Getting Ryan back on the pitch is something I’m really pleased with. I’d definitely still expect him to be a big player for us over the course of the season.
“He is working hard but I’m conscious that we need to be careful too. We need to bear in mind he hasn’t had much game time in eight months.
“He is young, eager and champing at the bit – but sometimes you just need to rein him back a bit and protect Ryan from himself.
“I would rather we got him on in better circumstances but there were already a few wee things we were able to highlight when we watched the video back.
“It’s about him being pro-active, he was on his MICHAEL GARDYNE is set to boost Ross County by returning to action in the next couple of weeks.
The winger came through his first serious training ground test this week after missing the whole of October and November with a broken foot.
Staggies co-boss Stuart Kettlewell said: “We got a full training session off Michael heels a couple of times but that will come with game time and we’ll look to give him as much time as possible without being reckless.”
Hardie is now pushing for a maiden start of the season when St Mirren, where he spent a forgettable loan spell during the 2016-17 campaign, visit the Tony Macaroni Arena tomorrow.
And Holt has demanded a response from his players after lamenting the “c**p” goals Livingston shipped against Killie.
Holt said: “We made it too easy for Kilmarnock. They didn’t need to work for their goals and that was disappointing. If you go there, against a team riding high at the top of the league, and they turn you over with a couple of great goals then fine. Instead, it was two c**p goals.
“But the players are hurting. We can’t change it now but we’ll highlight areas that we can improve.”
The clash with the Buddies will see Livi charged with shackling the mercurial Adam Hammill, fresh from an astonishing strike from inside his own half in their 2-2 draw against Hibs.
Holt said: “If Adam pops one in from 40 yards again then you hold your hands up! But we have good players too, players who can hurt St Mirren.” which was brilliant. He seems fine off the back of it.
“We’re keeping fingers crossed there will be no setbacks but it’s really good to see him back out there. We all know just how big an influence he is and a what a character he is.
“It will kind of feel like a new player for us given the period of time he has been out.”