Ryan Hardie has been challenged to cement a first team spot at Rangers this summer and convince boss Mark Warburton not to bring in another striker.
Warburton is a firm fan of Hardie's talents, but explained last season he did not feel the young striker was ready to affect games for the Gers at first team level, and promptly shipped him out on loan to Raith Rovers.
The 19-year-old made 12 appearances for Raith during his time at Stark's Park, impressing in the process and scoring six goals.
Warburton is expected to strengthen the Rangers squad further over the summer, but former Gers defender Hugh Burns thinks that Hardie has an opportunity to convince the boss not to dip into the market for another striker and to trust him instead.
"I think the big boy Hardie up front, that could be a major scoop for the manager saying 'go, get fit, play, come back and bully me into playing you' because there is a space there right now if he doesn't sign anybody up top", Burns said on Rangers TV.
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Rangers will be looking to challenge Celtic for the Premiership title next season after winning promotion from the Championship as champions this season.
And Hardie will want to use pre-season to show Warburton his development and convince the former Brentford boss to give him a first team squad spot.
