Could Rangers save millions in the January window with this decision?

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Could Rangers save millions in the January window with this decision?


With January’s window upon us, Steven Gerrard has been vocal in admitting new talent is needed for his squad to be properly equipped for the new year. Quite a few areas need strengthening, and the loss of Ovie Ejaria has arguably accelerated activity in the Govan transfer market, but one area stands out as being borderline appalling at Ibrox:

Striker.

If we remove Alfredo Morelos (and even he is powerless to help us score in open play at times) from the equation, the striking depth at Steven Gerrard’s disposal is absurdly laughable.

Kyle Lafferty has only fleetingly shown any sort of form, and has frankly failed terribly so far to live up to even a quarter of the expectation around him – true, he’s suffering a lack of selection with Morelos’ presence often putting paid to that, but equally Morelos’ suspensions recently have given him an opening and he hasn’t come close to taking it.

Meanwhile the literal only other striker at Ibrox has departed for pastures new in the form of Umar Sadiq, but he was a complete flop anyway so it’s a non-issue.

Enter suddenly the most in-form Rangers striker we have – Ryan Hardie.

Hardie’s form last season included seeing him awarded POTM for his superb return in March at then-Championship Livingston, and the 21-year old has continued that in the SPL following his return from a bad knee injury which curtailed his first few months of life in Scotland’s top flight.

Since aforementioned regaining of fitness it’s three goals in four for the on-loan Rangers man, who managed an excellent 8 in 16 last season plus two assists.

Many fans made an argument against Jason Cummings that he had never done it at SPL level – and that was true. On the other hand, Hardie has delivered in both Scotland’s second top tier and in its summit too, and with him being our player, in concert with our current abysmal lacking of quality up top, while we’re not strictly claiming he’s good enough to be our main man, he would add the level of depth we need while not costing a halfpenny.

Rangers are in the market for quality up front – Liverpool’s Dominic Solanke continues to be linked, Gillingham’s Tom Eaves is being mentioned too. But no harm surely in recalling Hardie and giving the kid a chance.

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20 COMMENTS

  1. Lafferty hasnt had a run of games to be fair. Im not sure id bring Hardie back if he's going to be on the bench. He's getting 1st team football atm.

    • That is the way I see it. I am sure finances will dictate eventual outcomes. Would I prefer a Solanke? probably, and at the end of the day I think SG will push hard to get a top class proven goalscorer in. What a difference that could make to 20 corners and 30 crosses earning zero.

  2. Leave Hardie till summer and pick up £10m for Morelos. Lafferty ok to see season out. He was unlucky yesterday.

  3. Big laff will come good given more game time ps..see broon the cagefighter got away with it again barely mentioned by Bill and Ben on sportscene

  4. I have always rated Hardie. I would give him a new contract now. BUT, 3 goals doesn't mean you can make it in the Premier League. Leave him where he is until the summer. Then we will know if he can do it and maintain it. Which I think he can. But watching Morelos from the subs bench will not help him prove anything.
    Shankland, I will defer to SG and MA but personally if they think he is good enough, offer him a three and a half year contract. Double his wages and send him back to Ayr. If, or when, they get promoted, he stays there for another year in the SPL to see if he can deliver there. Offer him a couple of thousand per goal to make up for wages lower than Rangers.
    Get Solanke or similar in on loan in January. Come the summer, we decide whether Hardie, Dallas or Zak Rudden are ready to step up. Those three, Shankland and Mepudo could all be capable of stepping up, if they continue to develop. If none are ready, and I believe Hardie will be, that is the time to dip into the transfer market.

    I don't fancy Eaves, sorry. We are quoted re Fran Sol, I don't know enough about him to have an opinion, but he looks alright. I will put my faith in SG and MA. Incidentally, I see Lewis MacLeod is out of contract in the summer. Come on home, young man!! Never wanted him to leave, but we were skint.

  5. Hardie will never be Rangers class. Livingston is his level, certainly not what we need in the final third at the moment. You have to remember, the problem is not the striker, the problem is getting the ball to the striker when the opposition constantly parks the bus. Lafferty was unlucky not to score yesterday, was generally happy with his contribution, just needs a few more games to get up to speed. I wish Ryan all the best, but I would release him.

  6. In the article you say could rangers save millions in January transfer window can you elaborate in millions how many we have to spend then if this is the case only asking like.

  7. Sheep will not sell Lewis Ferguson to us. BUT, if he proves good enough, his dad and uncle will make sure he runs his contract down. Ryan Jack, anyone?

  8. Leave Hardie where he is for the season and assess it then – if he comes back here, he’ll be warming the bench. Besides, I thought IN were keen to bring Cummings back – he should be well rested by now!!!!!!

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