RYAN HARDIE hopes he can follow in Barrie McKay’s footsteps and make the transition from a loan Ranger to an Ibrox first team star.

The striker is set to spend the rest of the Championship campaign on loan at Raith Rovers and made his debut for Ray MacKinnon’s side against Livingston on Saturday.

McKay was sent out on loan to Morton and Rovers in the last two campaigns but has returned to Rangers and become an integral part of Mark Warburton’s Gers blueprint.

And Hardie is determined to make the most of his time away from Ibrox and force his way into Warburton’s plans in the future.

He told SportTimes: “Barrie went to Raith last season so he has given me good reports about them and told me it was a good club to go to.

“As you can see, it has benefitted him a lot. He has come back a more mature player.

“He showed he could do it at that level and then he has proven himself under the gaffer this season.

“When the gaffer came in during the summer, he said it was a fresh start and a chance for everyone to show what they could do.

“It doesn’t matter what age you are or where you have been before. It was a clean slate for everyone and a chance for everyone to get a jersey. That is what Baz has done this year and I am delighted for him.

“It was a good start for me on Saturday and it was good to get the win and get us into fourth place. Hopefully I can do well for Raith between now and the end of the season.”

While McKay has arguably been Rangers’ top performer this term, Hardie has struggled to make a breakthrough into the Light Blues’ starting line-up.

But the 18-year-old has the ideal mentor to look up to in experienced striker Kenny Miller as he bids to become a Gers star.

Hardie said: “Kenny has been brilliant for me and the squad. Not many people will know the impact and influence he has but he has been great.

“He is vastly experienced, he knows the game well and he has achieved everything that I want to in the game.

“He is a great role model for me and, as a striker, he has given me a lot of great tips in training.

“He keeps on at me to keep pushing me and if I am not at it then he will tell me. He is honest with me and he gets the best out of me.

“I have got a good relationship with Kenny as a team-mate and when he coaches as well. He is serious about his coaching and he has been a big help to the boys.”