Ryan Hardie deserves his chance under Pedro Caixinha at Rangers – is he about to get it?
With Pedro Caixinha under increased scrutiny following last week’s 2-0 Old Firm derby defeat to Celtic, the last thing the Rangers manager needed was a fall out with one of the club’s key players – not to mention a bonafide fan’s favourite.
Yet, according to the Daily Record, that is exactly what happened. The report claims that veteran striker Kenny Miller, axed from the squad for their Scottish Premiership 4-1 victory against Hamilton Saturday, had been ordered to join the Under-20’s for their trip to Brentford instead.
After three spells at the club spanning 17 years, you wonder whether Miller’s long association with Rangers has been brought to an end in the least fitting fashion. And, if the 37-year-old has no part to play under Caixinha, the manager has a long time until the January transfer window offers him the chance to find a replacement.
Though, if the door slams shut on Miller, a window of opportunity may creak open for youth team star Ryan Hardie. Caixinha has shown a willingness to give plenty of young players a chance since taking over in May, but the 20-year-old has only featured once this season.
This is despite a stunning performance in the prestigious Toulon Tournament in the summer, scoring three times as Scotland finished an impressive third place.
Rangers supporters have been clamouring for the locally-born Hardie to be given more of an opportunity in recent months and, with a Miller-shaped void in the squad, the youngster will hope to be given the chance to fill it.
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