Out on loan Rangers attacker Ryan Hardie has confirmed that there are talks set over a potential return to Ibrox in the new year despite a shock admission over his relationship with Steven Gerrard.
The 21-year-old was shipped out on loan to Livingston over the summer and after recovering from a lengthy injury setback has enjoyed some bright form, netting four goals in three games.
Speaking about his future, the versatile striker, who can also operate as a winger, admitted there were discussions to be had over heading back to Rangers in January but made the surprise revelation that he has not spoken to Gerrard once after leaving the club.
He told the Scottish Sun: “There are still discussions to be had.
“I’m here until January for now and there was an option to extend, so we are just going through the process and seeing what is best for me. I haven’t spoken to Steven Gerrard since I came here.
“I want to play as many games as I can. I want to be playing and scoring goals, whether that’s at Rangers or Livingston, I don’t mind.
“I have a contract until the end of the season at Rangers, so we will see what happens.”
Opinion
Considering how lacking in options Gerrard is when it comes to strikers it is easy to understand why Hardie is being considered for a return – but is he really going to be the answer to the problem? The real reason that he should be heading back to Ibrox is so that Gerrard – who for some reason has not taken a first hand approach to his development while out on loan – can get a good look at him and determine whether he is good enough to warrant a new contract at the Light Blues. It will be interesting to see if he is given the chance to shine in the new year or whether Rangers will instead to keep him out temporarily in order to hand him more regular game time, for the likes of Alfredo Morelos and Kyle Lafferty are still going to be ahead of him in the pecking order. One thing is for certain – Hardie just wants to play football, and so he might well choose to stay out on loan rather than move back if he is given the choice.