Blackpool manager is thrilled after signing Rangers’ Ryan Hardie

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Ryan Hardie’s Scottish Premiership chances are over with Rangers selling the striker to Simon Grayson’s League One outfit Blackpool.

Simon Grayson could hardly hide his delight after signing Rangers striker Ryan Hardie for Blackpool, telling the Gazette that the striker is a ‘great’ addition at Bloomfield Road.

For the third time in two years, Bloomfield Road has welcomed a Gers youngster to the West coast. After landing Joe Dodoo and Jordan Thompson last summer, Hardie has now swapped Ibrox for Blackpool on a permanent basis.

The 22-year-old might never have made an impression in Rangers’ first-team but his form elsewhere looks very promising for his new employers.

Hardie’s 15 goals fired Livingston to promotion in the 2017/18 season and, two years ago, he helped Scotland finish third at the prestigious Toulon youth tournament in France.

So no wonder former Leeds United and Sunderland boss Grayson is thrilled about the prospect of working with a natural-born goalscorer at Blackpool.

“I’ve done a lot of research in terms of watching clips, and speaking to the coaching staff at Rangers and others in Scotland I know, as well as players,” said the Tangerines boss. “I think we’ll soon find he’s a two-footed goalscorer. He looks to run in behind and he’s a decent size.

Delighted to sign for @BlackpoolFC. Can’t wait to get started pic.twitter.com/4A5Etx3vMY

— Ryan Hardie (@Ryanhardie9) July 17, 2019

“He’s young, hungry and wants to improve. I think he’ll be a good acquisition for us. He’s played for Scotland at most of the youth levels and he’s had a great upbringing at Rangers before going out on loan to Livingston.

“I think it’s going to be a good opportunity for him but also a great signing for us as well.”

Thompson shone at Blackpool last season after being discarded at Ibrox, forcing his way into the Northern Ireland national team as a result.

The midfielder worked with Hardie both at Rangers and during that 2018 loan spell at Livingston so they should have no problems forging a fearsome partnership in the famous orange shirt of Blackpool.