Ryan Hardie has carved out a prolific career for himself down south but says nothing beats scoring for the Light Blues
Ryan Hardie in amongst Rangers training
Ryan Hardie in amongst Rangers training(Image: SNS Group)
View 2 Images
Ryan Hardie was the man of the moment when he sent Liverpool crashing out of the FA Cup.
But the Rangers-daft striker insists nothing in his career compares to scoring twice for his boyhood club.
Lifelong Bluenose Hardie lived the dream when he came through the Ibrox ranks and pulled on the famous royal blue jersey.
His first-team spell was brief, with just 17 appearances to his name, but Hardie knows nobody can ever take that achievement away from him.
His only two Rangers goals came during that miserable 2014/15 campaign, when the club failed to secure promotion back to the Premiership.
The striker announced himself with a brace in a 3-1 win over Dumbarton before being sent out on a succession of loan spells.
He eventually made his move permanent with Blackpool in 2019 and has since carved out a prolific career south of the border, racking up more than 100 goals.
Now on the books of Bolton Wanderers, Hardie still wears his love for Rangers on his sleeve.
Speaking in the Trotters’ official programme, he revealed just how special it was to fulfil a childhood ambition at Ibrox.
He said: "My cousin went off on the bus every week, so I joined him when I was probably 11-12 years old.
Ryan Hardie downs Liverpool
Ryan Hardie downs Liverpool(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
"I've had my dream, to grow up and play for them. Not many people can say they've played for the club they support.
"I've done it and scored on my full debut - two goals - so I'm really happy with that."
Hardie also revealed former Rangers hitman Nikica Jelavic was his boyhood idol.
He said: "I tried to mould myself on him. I liked scoring goals, and at the time when I was watching him, he was scoring the goals."
The former Plymouth hero would go on to produce one of the biggest giant-killings in recent FA Cup history when he drilled home a late penalty to dump Liverpool out of the competition in February 2025.
But even that famous moment couldn't knock Rangers off the top spot.
Asked to name the best moment of his football career, Hardie said: "Probably playing and scoring for Rangers, but now the most important thing to me is family.
"My son, Arthur, was the mascot when I played against Liverpool and he did a little interview in the mic and said we're going to beat them 10-0 and daddy would score.
"I did score the winner (knocking Liverpool out of the FA Cup with Plymouth in February, 2025) and he got to run on the pitch at full-time and I lifted him up. It was just a nice moment."