Rangers confirm agreement with 21-year-old striker after blistering form last season
Rangers have confirmed striker Ryan Hardie has signed a new contract with the Ibrox giants to extend his stay by a further year.
The Light Blues confirmed the new deal for Hardie on their official website on Friday as the squad returned to the Hummel Training Centre for pre-season.
Hardie enjoyed a blistering second half of the season on loan with Livingston, hitting the net nine times to help the Lions win promotion to the Scottish Premiership.
The Scotland Under-21 international made his first-team debut for the Gers as far back as 2014/15 but has been unable to force his way into a regular spot in the side.
Football Insider verdict:
Hardie is a promising young striker but giving him a new contract doesn't make a massive amount of sense. At the same age as Alfredo Morelos the difference between the two is night and day and it's unlikely Hardie is of a sufficient quality to make an impact. Hardie can still improve but there doesn't really seem to be any huge benefit to tying him down for a further year. The duration of the deal would suggest though that it might be his final chance to prove himself and earn a first-team place at Ibrox - or do enough to win a move elsewhere. It would be good to see the Gers still bring another striker in this summer and add some competition for Morelos. Hardie might get a chance to impress in pre-season but it won't be a huge shock if he was sent out on loan again pretty quickly.
aIn other Rangers transfer news, they are leading the hunt to sign an in-demand attacker from Liverpool.