Ryan Hardie’s return to form comes at perfect time for Rangers future

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Glasgow Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos has faced a lot of criticism from the Ibrox faithful following his red card at the weekend.

Ryan Hardie may be starting to feel the pressure as the end of the season starts to emerge on the horizon and his Rangers future becomes a talking point once again.

The striker was touted for a potential chance in Steven Gerrard’s side during the January transfer window. He went into the winter break having scored five goals in five appearances for Livingston. The youngster’s form was all the more remarkable given how little he had played before finding his scoring touch.

But with Jermain Defoe arriving at Ibrox in January, it appeared to make a lot of sense to send Hardie back out on loan. Unfortunately for the 22-year-old, he then struggled to rediscover his previous form.

However, the striker has now scored two goals in his last two games for Livi. And given what has recently gone on at his parent club in recent days, perhaps it would be fair to suggest that Hardie’s return to form could not be more perfectly timed.

Alfredo Morelos has a lot of making up to do with the supporters when he returns to the pitch after his sending off in the Old Firm game at the weekend. Morelos has been outstanding this season, but his decision to lash out at Scott Brown proved costly and raised questions about whether he will ever change his game to ensure that he does keep his cool, even when provoked.

With those questions in mind, it may perhaps not be a huge surprise if Gerrard considers any substantial bids that come in for Morelos during the summer.

Of course, Hardie is not a replacement for Morelos by any means. But with Defoe reminding everyone of how outstanding he can be when leading the line, selling Morelos is not as daunting a prospect as it once seemed – provided that they receive a stunning bid for the Colombian.

And while they will still need to sign another goalscorer if Morelos does leave, there may perhaps be an opening for Hardie to have a role to play at Rangers next season if the top goalscorer moves on.

There is probably no better chance for Hardie to prove that he does deserve an opportunity at Ibrox. Two goals in two is a promising start to what he will be hoping turns out to be his best run of the season.