Former Rangers striker Ryan Hardie netted on his debut for Plymouth Argyle on Saturday afternoon, just days after signing on loan from Blackpool.
After coming up through the youth system in a near-decade-long association with the club, Hardie left Ibrox in the summer in search of regular first-team football.
EFL League One side Blackpool snapped him up and gave him the number 9 shirt, suggesting he would have a big role to play there.
However, manager, Simon Grayson, barely gave him any opportunities over the first half of the season. The 22-year-old made just seven league appearances for the Tangerines, with only two of those coming from the start and his most recent outing coming in mid-October.
Something had to give and on Friday, he signed for League Two side Plymouth Argyle on loan until the end of the season [pafc.co.uk].
He went straight into the matchday squad for their fixture against Carlisle United at Brunton Park and made an immediate impact.
With his team already 2-0 up, Hardie was subbed on in the 71st minute and by the 75th, he had his first Pilgrims goal.
After being slipped in behind the home side’s defence, Hardie cooly slotted past Adam Collin to notch on debut.
The game was to finish 3-0 with the win ensuring Argyle sit fifth in the table, with every team from third to seventh locked on 44 points.
A great start to life at a new club for Hardie then, and hopefully he’ll be given more game over the coming weeks as he looks to make a name for himself south of the border.
