IAN DURRANT has backed Ryan Hardie to rise to the challenge at Ibrox and become a key player for Rangers boss Mark Warburton.

The striker has been a regular feature in the Gers’ first team squad this term and was this week rewarded with a new deal that will keep him at the club until 2018.

Hardie is one of the most highly-rated young players in the country and Light Blues Under-20 boss Durrant is confident he can make his first team dream become a reality.

He told SportTimes: “Ryan has been great. He is a really infectious boy. He always wants to work and do things and sometimes you need to keep a tight rein on him, but he has been excellent.

“He has been with the first team since pre-season and I am just hoping now that he gets his chance because he can score goals.

“He has been playing for the 20s, he has played for Scotland and now he needs to keep up his record and keep catching the manager’s eye.

“Martyn Waghorn has set the benchmark and I have said to Ryan that when he gets his chance he has to take it.

“He has played for the 20s to keep his fitness up, he has been scoring for fun for us and long may that continue.

“When he gets his chance, he has got to take it. I am sure he will.

“All he has ever wanted to do is play for Rangers and score goals for Rangers. We are all delighted for him.”