Ryan Hardie is finally up and running in 2019.
The 22-year-old striker has been having a tough time of it of late.
Before Friday’s night’s fixture against Hibernian, he had failed to score in his previous eight matches and has been forced to settle for a place among the substitutes.
However, he’ll be hoping that’s about to change after rediscovering his goalscoring touch.
When he was introduced for Chris Erskine after 68 minutes, the scores were locked at 0-0.
It wasn’t long though before Hibs delivered two killer blows.
Paul Hanlon and Stevie Mallan scored in the 71st and 75th minutes, respectively, taking the game away from the Lions.
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Yet, Hardie was still able to offer a glimmer of hope in the closing stages.
Lewis Stevenson fouled Steve Lawson in injury time to give the former Scotland youth international an opportunity from 12 yards.
He promptly sent Marciano the wrong way to bring it back to 2-1, but it would prove too little, too late.
A disappointing result for Livi, but a monkey off the back for Hardie.
With limited league matches remaining, he’ll be hoping more minutes and goals are to follow.
Only through impressing now, can he give himself a headstart before returning to Ibrox in the summer.
Gerrard will be watching.
