This afternoon Rangers confirmed that striker Ryan Hardie had made the loan move out to fellow Premiership side Livingston.
The 21-year-old youngster was with Livingston for the second half of the 2017/18 campaign, where he scored eight times in 17 appearances for them as they secured promotion from Livingston.
Having gained previous loan experience out with St Mirren and Raith Rovers, he recently signed an extension at Ibrox keeping him with us until the summer of 2019.
This loan spell will last until January when it will expire and I assume our next decision will be based on his development in that time and how he takes to what should be far more regular action in the top-flight of Scottish football. It must be said Livingston’s statement about his arrival says it’s loan for the full season, so I’m guessing the January reference means we hold a break clause rather than expiry.
If he impresses and looks to be an option for manager Steven Gerrard then we can arrange a contract extension, but if the spell isn’t as successful for him this time around no doubt another loan spell will be arranged for the second half of the campaign where he can look to impress for when he’s out of contract.
Despite a bit of confusion, there are a few positives to this depending on which way you look at it.
It’s a tactic Celtic have used over the last few seasons. Loaning players to Hibs/Aberdeen in order to make them stronger against the likes of Rangers. And obviously these players are unable to play against their parent club.
— Willy (@wmwscgbm87) June 25, 2018
Nothing wrong with it tbf. We just need to be smart and do it as well
— Tree Fiddy (@ryzo_11) June 25, 2018
Unless the club think after another decent season we'll get a transfer fee for him?
— Fazman (@Faz_50) June 25, 2018
That’s what should be happening with out up and coming so we can have a closer look at them get barjonas out too st mirren or something
— Duncan McCallum (@MnGmaintenance) June 25, 2018
How not? If he does well at premiership level he will get another extension. if he's pish he gets papped. Rather than give him 4 years and he's balls.
— Rab. (@LaRabbie) June 25, 2018
Great move for all parties.
— Crispo (@TheCrispola) June 25, 2018