Livingston loan could be the making of Ryan Hardie’s Rangers career

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Rangers striker Ryan Hardie spent the winter break training with Steven Gerrard’s men in Tenerife. A decision on his short-term future is yet to be decided as Gerrard weighs up his options.

The Gers needed a new striker this month but have signed Jermain Defoe on an 18-month loan deal.

The 36-year-old will compete with Alfredo Morelos and Kyle Lafferty for the first-team spots, with Hardie also in with a shout.

Hardie is set to sign a new deal, according to The Daily Record. But Rangers are still mulling over whether to send him out on loan or keep him.

Considering that Rangers have now got three striker options in Defoe, Morelos and Lafferty, a loan spell would be the best option for Hardie’s career.

The 21-year-old spent the first half of the season on loan at Livingston, who would love to have him back.

He only managed seven games in an injury-hit half-season loan, but scored five goals in his last five games at the Almondvale Stadium.

Last season, Hardie netted eight goals in 14 Scottish Championship games to help Livingston to promotion.

And if he returned for a third spell with the Lions, the Scotland under-21 striker could take his game to the next level and really stake a claim for a first-team spot at Rangers.

Defoe and Lafferty are into their 30s, while Morelos is bound to attract interest. Hardie can prove he is the long-term answer at Ibrox with another impressive loan at Livingston.