RYAN HARDIE hopes he can force his way into Mark Warburton’s first team plans this term after impressing for Rangers’ second string in Northern Ireland.

The striker came off the bench to pull Ian Durrant’s side level against Coleraine on Friday evening before Dylan Dykes grabbed the winner at the Showgrounds.

Hardie made six appearances for Rangers last season and scored his first two goals for the club in the 3-1 Championship win over Dumbarton.

While the 18-year-old was across the water with the Under-20s, strikers Martyn Waghorn and Kenny Miller opened their accounts for the campaign with braces in the 6-2 Petrofac Training Cup triumph against Hibernian on Saturday.

Rangers will face Peterhead in the League Cup first round this weekend before kicking-off their bid for second tier title glory against St Mirren on August 7.

And Hardie is determined to play his part for the Light Blues as he looks to catch Warburton’s eye in the coming weeks.

"My big aim this season is to be involved in more first team squads and kick on from last season, but I know I have to keep working hard and keep doing what I do on the pitch and score goals and keep myself in the gaffer's thoughts," he told rangers.co.uk

"The new manager has come in so everyone will be out to impress him, and he has brought in a few new signings too, so it's a good test to put yourself up against those players.

"I can't wait for the season to start now, it's going to be a good season for Rangers and I'm looking forward to seeing the new style of play being brought in."