Could a run of form see Rangers offload Umar Sadiq, and bring back striker?

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It has been a nightmare spell for Sadiq at Ibrox, since his move to Rangers in the summer.

Umar Sadiq looks to have little option but to leave Rangers in the January transfer window and return to Italian side AS Roma, as his loan spell has been nothing short of a nightmare.

The Nigeria international joined Rangers with plenty of promise, having scored goals for Roma and his country, as well as netting during a loan spell with Dutch Eredivisie side NAC Breda the season prior.

Rangers fans were excited to have such a deadly-looking threesome up front, in Alfredo Morelos, Kyle Lafferty and Sadiq. Fast forward four months, though, and Sadiq’s time could not have gone worse.

The 22-year-old has managed just four appearances in all competitions, failing to score and blowing his big chance against Aberdeen in the Scottish League Cup semi-final. His dive being the low point of a dismal loan spell.

It is likely that he will return to Italy in January, but Steven Gerrard could instantly replace Sadiq by recalling Ryan Hardie to Ibrox after the Livingston loanee finally overcame injury to score for his loan side as they beat St. Mirren 3-1.

Hardie, 21, started his first game for Livi this season – and just his third outing in total – after finally putting the foot problem behind him and he rounded off his return to the starting line-up with his first ever Scottish Premiership goal.

The Scotland youth international was loaned to Livi last season and he was crucial in their promotion chase, scoring eight goals and creating two more in 17 games as the club returned to the top flight.

Gary Holt’s men have five Scottish Premiership fixtures between now and the January break, and Hardie could show Gerrard that he is the perfect replacement to Sadiq by reigniting his goalscoring form in those matches.

If Hardie goes on a run, Gerrard may be tempted to save his manager’s blushes over the Sadiq ordeal by recalling him and helping Rangers in their Scottish Premiership title hunt.