{"id":556651,"date":"2020-07-04T07:57:37","date_gmt":"2020-07-04T11:57:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=556651"},"modified":"2021-12-29T09:07:25","modified_gmt":"2021-12-29T14:07:25","slug":"where-next-for-ryan-hardie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/07\/04\/where-next-for-ryan-hardie\/","title":{"rendered":"Where Next for Ryan Hardie?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ryan Hardie looks to have the option of playing League One<\/a> football next season. Although at which club, remains to be seen.<\/span><\/p>\n

Where Next for Ryan Hardie?<\/h2>\n

High Hopes for Hardie<\/h3>\n

Last July saw Hardie<\/a> – who is a striker – make the move from Scotland to the English Football League.<\/span><\/p>\n

He opted to join Blackpool<\/a>, having spent six years at Rangers. However, his move did not turn out to be the success that many had predicted. In 12 games, he scored just once.<\/span><\/p>\n

This was one less goal than he managed for Rangers during 17 appearances. However, he had enjoyed considerable success in loan spells away from Ibrox. He was a regular scorer for <\/span>Raith<\/span> Rovers, St. Mirren and Livingston. Hardie is also a former\u00a0Scotland Under-21 international.<\/span><\/p>\n

Last summer saw Blackpool undertake a period of rapid change. The club was under new ownership, thereby leading to Simon Grayson<\/a>‘s re-appointment as their manager.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, their previous manager Terry McPhillips, had already begun signing players for the 2019\/20 season. This led to a larger than expected squad. The January transfer window brought yet more <\/span>change<\/span> with over 20 players <\/span>either joining<\/span> or leaving the Seasiders.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, 23-year-old Hardie had yet to establish himself as a first-team regular at Blackpool. He made just seven starts and further five substitute appearances. He scored just once – this was against Morecambe<\/a> in the <\/span>Football<\/span> League Trophy.<\/span><\/p>\n

His last appearance for Blackpool came in the same <\/span>competition<\/span> on November 27. It was a home tie against <\/span>Scunthorpe<\/span><\/a> United, which Blackpool lost 3-1, thereby eliminating them from the competition.<\/span><\/p>\n

New <\/span>Beginnings<\/span><\/h3>\n

In January 2020, Blackpool agreed to allow Hardie <\/span>to join<\/span> Plymouth Argyle<\/a> on loan until the end of the 2019\/20 season. This proved an astute signing, for Hardie scored 7 goals in 13 league appearances. His goals helped Plymouth gain promotion to League 1.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unsurprisingly<\/span>, <\/span>Plymouth<\/span> manager Ryan Lowe is keen to bring Hardie back to the Devon club.\u00a0 In an interview with the Plymouth Herald<\/a>, Lowe also spoke about the prospect of George Cooper re-joining from Peterborough United.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lowe confirmed: “George Cooper, we would like to potentially do something with him, but there are the finances and everything else that comes with it.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Ryan Hardie is the same, but I think we have got to respect their clubs. They will go back probably pre-season.<\/span><\/p>\n

“If they can\u2019t get in their team, and managers change or whatever it may be, then they could be an option.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Under Contract<\/span><\/h3>\n

When Blackpool signed Hardie, they gave him a two-year contract with an option of a third year. This means that he <\/span>remains<\/span> under contract at Bloomfield Road for next season.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the time, Grayson gave an enthusiastic interview to the Blackpool website<\/a> in regard to his new signing.<\/span><\/p>\n

“The club has been monitoring Ryan\u2019s progress for some time,” said Grayson.<\/span><\/p>\n

“We\u2019re getting him at the right age and have beaten some competition for his signature.”<\/span><\/p>\n

However, it was also Grayson who allowed Hardie to join Plymouth on loan. <\/span><\/p>\n

Soon <\/span>after Hardie’s<\/span> departure, Grayson followed. He was sacked<\/a> in February and was later replaced by Neil Critchley.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Whether Hardie will become part of Critchley’s plans is unclear. However, it would seem unlikely that Blackpool will loan a player to their <\/span>divisional<\/span> rivals. This could mean that Hardie will only return to Plymouth, if Argyle agree a <\/span>permanent<\/span> transfer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although Blackpool did not disclose the transfer fee they paid Rangers for Hardie, it is also likely that they might seek to recoup this fee.<\/span><\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>