IF Rangers have aspirations of winning the league this season, which they have, then Mark Warburton will rely on his tried and trusted players for most of the campaign.

There is no doubt he has improved the first team squad over the summer and that will mean that the team is better. But it also makes it more difficult for players to break through.

In that situation, it is best for them to leave Ibrox on loan and to go and play first team football elsewhere. That is what Ryan Hardie has done and hopefully his time at St Mirren will benefit him in the long run.

If he had stayed with Rangers this season, he would maybe have played a handful of games and got on the bench a few times. As a young player, that is not what you want and it is not what you need.

He has more chance of playing regularly at St Mirren and hopefully he can go back to the Championship and score a few goals and do well for Alex Rae’s side.

He is there initially until January and he will want to come back to Rangers and prove to the manager that he is good enough but it might be best for him to stay in Paisley until the end of the season.

It can be frustrating for a young player when you are working hard but you don’t get your chance. Sometimes you have to go backwards to go forwards.

It would be natural for Ryan to think if he is ever going to get a game for Rangers, especially if Mark looks to add to his squad again in January and then next summer as well.

He has to go to St Mirren, play every week and score as many goals as he can. It is a really big season for Ryan.

He is a good young player but he has to prove himself this year and show that he has what it takes to come back to Rangers and challenge for a first team place.