OPINION
Steven Gerrard must tear up Ryan Hardie’s loan deal at Livingston and get him back to Rangers as soon as possible after it became apparent on Friday night that he is needed at Ibrox.
Hardie, 21, scored twice as Livi thrashed Hearts 5-0 at the Tony Macaroni Arena on Friday, even though he is still fighting his way back to full match fitness after a recent knee injury.
Since joining Livingston on loan in the summer, the 6ft (transfermarkt) striker has only managed to play four times across all competitions due to injury, however he has now scored three in his last two outings, with Livi winning both games.
Rangers could really do with the extra firepower in January and if Hardie continues to play for Livingston up until the end of the year then he should get himself back to full match fitness in time to replace Umar Sadiq at Ibrox, amid widespread reports that the Nigerian striker will be heading back to Roma.
Kyle Lafferty has also struggled to get among the goals on a regular basis this season and Alfredo Morelos’ poor disciplinary record means that Gerrard needs to have three striker options who are all capable of finding the back of the net.
Recalling Hardie could be the best decision that Gerrard makes all season with the Gers.
Getting Hardie back would cost nothing, allowing Gerrard to spend money on other part of the squad if he needs to and the 21-year-old forward has proved in the last couple of weeks that he is capable of scoring in the Scottish Premiership.
Livingston may not be happy with the idea of losing the striker who has been prolific for them in 2018, but the Scotland Under-21 international is a Rangers player and he must be playing for Rangers.