Everything former Rangers striker Ryan Hardie appears to touch turns to gold at present as the Plymouth Argyle striker hit another two goals for the south coast club.
The Gers Academy striker had four in four matches in the English Football League and six in total heading into the eventual 2-2 League One draw with Portsmouth.
Hardie – now 24 – would add numbers seven and eight at Fratton Park as his side suffered late heartbreak against one of the division’s most prominent clubs.
The striker – who made 17 appearances for Rangers, scoring twice – hauled Plymouth Argyle into the lead after initially going behind in the match.
Lee Brown had given Pompey the early advantage before Hardie got the Pilgrims on terms just a few minutes after the restart.
With ten minutes to go, the ex-Blackpool forward must’ve thought he’d won it for his side but Plymouth hearts were broken by Sean Ragget in the 5th minute of injury time.
This was a big goal in that had Plymouth held on, they’d have sailed to the top of League One but for now will have to settle with 4th place on 15 points.
Hardie now tops the League One scoring charts, his six goals and one assist in eight games matching Morecambe’s Cole Stockon but Hardie’s minutes per goal being slightly slower (119, 120).
Once one of the most promising young strikers in Scotland, Rangers kept Hardie around for five seasons but after a series of loan moves Steven Gerrard opted to move the youngster on.
Having spent loan spells with Raith Rovers, St Mirren and Livingston, Hardie moved to Blackpool in 2019 but was moved out on loan to Plymouth not long after.
Now Hardie appears to have found a home at the aptly named Home Park and Rangers fans will be wishing him every success in the future.
Who knows, if the player keeps scoring perhaps we may even see Ryan back at Ibrox one day!
Meanwhile, a former Rangers manager has masterminded a top result against one of football’s most talented coaches.
