RYAN HARDIE has reached another checkpoint but he still has some way to travel on his journey. One day, he hopes all roads will lead to Ibrox.

The 19-year-old has ticked several boxes in his fledgling career and the main goal remains the same as he bids to make his mark at Rangers.

Hardie has already played, and scored, for the Light Blues’ first team. He has proven himself in the Championship and enhanced his reputation whilst representing Scotland.

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The striker returned to the second tier in the summer to sign for St Mirren on loan and his form has been rewarded with a call-up to the Under-21 squad for their final two European Championship qualifiers against Iceland and Macedonia.

It is another significant marker for Hardie and will be a moment to savour if boss Scot Gemmill hands him his bow in the coming days.

He had to temporarily give up his dream of starring for Mark Warburton’s side and switch his attentions to the Saints. The short-term sacrifice could prove worth it in the long run, though.

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“I had a spell at Raith last year and that gave me a taste for first team football,” Hardie told SportTimes.

“This season I wanted to go and do the same thing. Playing in the Championship week in week out makes a big difference and gives you experience of that first team environment.

“The manager has the philosophy of getting the boys out on loan and playing games. When you are in a first team squad, you are playing for points, playing for leagues and playing for bonuses so it means more to you.

“The 20s games are competitive but it is different when you are at first team level and playing for St Mirren has benefitted me already.

“The results haven’t been great but it has been a valuable experience for me in terms of playing first team football. The results will come and the team will continue to improve.

“For me, getting the goals and getting the games is crucial and hopefully there are plenty more to come in the next couple of months.”

Hardie has long been touted as a potential star of the future as he has risen through the Auchenhowie ranks and he showed glimpses of what he could be capable of under the guidance of Stuart McCall two years ago.

His big chance came during the final stages of Rangers’ ultimately futile attempt to win promotion from the Championship at the first time of asking.

The two goals he scored in a victory over Dumbarton are the last he netted at first team level in Light Blue, with his chances limited to a handful of appearances last term.

The Stranraer-born striker has hit the target three times in nine outings for the Buddies and each minute on the park has been crucial to his development.

Hardie said: “The manager gave me lots of advice and explained why the loan would be beneficial for me. It might be one, it might be two or three.

“I need to get used to playing first team football before I go back to Rangers. I am out to prove that I am ready and that I can play for Rangers.

“The aim has always been to play games, score goals and prove that I can play at that level. Then I need to show that I can make the step up to the Premiership.

“The plan at the minute is to go back in January and try and stake my claim for a place. If it doesn’t happen then I am ready to go back out on loan and prove myself again.”

Hardie may be out of sight of the Ibrox crowd but he is not out of mind for Warburton and his Auchenhowie staff.

He featured in the Irn-Bru Cup clashes against Edinburgh University and Stenhousemuir and scored on both occasions as the Gers’ Development Squad could only reach the second round.

It is his time on the park in black and white that will speed up his progress but Hardie is still reaping the rewards of his regular returns to Rangers.

He said: “There is usually someone from Rangers at my games and I go back in on a Monday, Tuesday and Thursday to do gym sessions and stuff so I am still involved there which is good.

Read more: Rangers kid Ryan Hardie determined to shine for Scotland after Under-21 cap call

“When I am back in at training, Kenny Miller is one of the main guys that I speak to. If I need any advice, he is always there and he has been really good with me.

“He told me to go out and play if I could and that it would improve me greatly. He went to Stenhousemuir when he was young so talking to him is a big help.

“His experience and the things he has done as a player is incredible. To have someone like that in the squad is great.

“Every club needs good players and competition in every position. The manager has brought good players so it is a challenge that I have to rise to if I want to be in the team.”