Rangers striker Ryan Hardie has revealed that Steven Gerrard is impressed with his progress, something he will try to continue with ahead of battling for a first team spot at Ibrox.
Hardie has been loaned out to Livingston once again for the rest of the season, after signing a one-year contract extension with Rangers.
The 21-year old suffered a knee injury last year that delayed his start to the season with Livingston.
Hardie returned to action in early December, and scored five times in seven games before the Scottish Premiership winter break.
The striker trained with the rest of the Gers squad in Tenerife, and has revealed that Gerrard has told him he is impressed with his progress, and Hardie wants to keep catching the manager's eye.
“The manager said in our chats that I just needed to go and continue what I’m doing”, Hardie was quoted as saying by the Evening Times.
“He’s been very impressed watching from afar, and I’m sure he’ll continue to do that.
“If I score more goals it’s going to put good things in his head and hopefully push myself closer to that building in the summer.
“It’s great when Steven Gerrard says he’s been impressed with what I’ve done.
“When he came in last summer it was a massive name coming to the club.
“I was as excited as anyone to train under him but unfortunately I was out injured and missed the full pre-season and all the way to December.
“So, I’m glad I got that chance in Tenerife and I’m looking forward to doing it again in the summer.”
Hardie has appeared 17 times for the Gers so far, and has scored twice in the process, figures he will hope to add to next season..
