Rangers offering Ryan Hardie new deal would surely make sense

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Glasgow Rangers forward Ryan Hardie is out of contract at Ibrox at the end of the season.

With first-team chances at Rangers proving difficult to come by during the first-half of the season, Ryan Hardie would have known just how important it was that he made the most of the loan spell with Livingston that he secured during the January transfer window.

Hardie has threatened to be one of the next academy graduates to make the grade at Ibrox for a number of years now, but for whatever reason, is not quite capturing the imagination in the same way that Ross McCrorie has done during his time in the Gers’ senior side.

With a contract that is set to expire in the summer (via Transfermarkt), the 20-year-old would have been forgiven for feeling that his time with Livi was make or break for his Rangers career – and he has so far made the kind of impact that should be tempting the Gers hierarchy to consider offering the young striker fresh terms.

Hardie has scored four goals in four Scottish Championship games for David Hopkin’s men, including a brace in the emphatic 4-1 win over league leaders St Mirren at the weekend.

Those four goals alone will not see him earn a new deal if one is not in the pipeline already, but they certainly hint that the Light Blues could do a lot worse than extend Hardie’s contract, especially given the lack of options that Graeme Murty has at his disposal right now.

Alfredo Morelos’ future has been a talking point amongst the fans ever since the January transfer window opened, Jason Cummings is currently on loan with the Gers, and Eduardo Herrera and Kenny Miller boast three Scottish Premiership goals between them this season.

Rewarding Hardie – if he maintains something like this current form – by giving him a new contract and bringing him back into the mix in the summer may be a smart move as he may have the confidence, following his loan spell, that will help him realise his potential.

With Hardie threatening to prove an inspired signing for Livingston, and Rangers not exactly snowed under with striker options, there seems little risk attached to giving him a new deal – and if he does realise that potential, the club may be able to look back on the decision as a masterstroke.