On Monday evening, The Sun journalist, Alan Nixon, reported that Blackpool are in for Ryan Hardie.
He claimed the EFL League One side were ‘trying to close a deal’ that would see the Gers striker move down south.
There was always a chance Hardie would be on the move again this summer. Especially, after he was absent from the first week of pre-season and missing from the Algarve touring party.
At one point last season, it looked as though he might earn himself an opportunity with Rangers.
Scintillating December form on loan at Livingston had some fans calling for his return to Ibrox. He did come back, albeit briefly, the following month, in order to sign a one-year contract extension before returning to Livi on loan.
However, the goals dried up after the winter break and consequently, he’s fallen down the pecking order. 17-year-old marksman, Josh McPake, for example, featured in the bounce game against Mansfield in Portugal, while Hardie was at home.
It’s a shame that the end seems nigh for the 22-year-old. A boyhood Rangers fan, he’s been with the club since a young age and showed real promise at times.
Plenty of Bears were disappointed but accepting of the news. With the likes of Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe at the club, it was always going to be difficult for Hardie to break through.
Here’s a selection of reactions to the news of his potential departure:
https://twitter.com/SpatestonBear2/status/1145753240404996098
https://twitter.com/RyanRossiWATP/status/1145769843574083585
https://twitter.com/MarkCams/status/1145754724626501637
https://twitter.com/Wilf1872/status/1145761105232506880
