The Blackpool Gazette reports that Ryan Hardie will be confirmed as a Blackpool player tomorrow (Wednesday).
Contrary to some initial reports, the move is set to be permanent, rather than a loan.
The player has travelled with his new teammates to a friendly against AFC Fylde this evening. He’s even been pictured wearing Blackpool training gear at the National League club’s ground.
It marks the end of a long spell for Hardie at Rangers. He’s come right through the youth ranks in a nine-year association with the club. However, it seems both parties have decided it’s time to move on.
With Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe ahead of him in the pecking order and young guns such as Zak Rudden and Josh McPake coming through, he wasn’t likely to see any first-team action this season.
However, he does have senior appearances and goals on his Ibrox record. The 6ft 2″ striker scored twice in 13 league appearances for the Gers [Soccerbase].
Last season, in his fourth loan spell away from the club, he netted seven times for Livingston.
Right now, this looks a good move for all concerned. Hardie will hopefully have a shot at regular first-team football at a decent level in England’s third tier.
For Blackpool, they are bringing in a strong centre-forward who knows where the net is. They finished a respectable tenth in the league last season, but their negative goal difference reflected a lack of potency in the final third.
As for Rangers, they trim down their squad and will hopefully get some kind of fee for Hardie, as he still has a year remaining on his Ibrox contract.
