HARDIE HAS A CHANCE

ARGYLE'S IN-FORM POACHER COULD GET SCOTLAND CALL

- CHRIS ERRINGTON

IN-FORM Plymouth Argyle striker Ryan Hardie has given himself a shot at being selected' by head coach Steve Clarke for Scotland's two friendly internationals in March, according to a leading Scottish football journalist.

Scott McDermott, the Sunday Mail's chief football writer, believes Hardie will definitely be on Clarke's radar ahead of games away to the Netherlands on March 22 and at home to Northern Ireland at Hampden Park four days later.

However, McDermott admitted his gut feeling was that Hardie will probably just miss out on a first-senior call-up, largely due to Clarke's loyalty to other strikers who have served him well over recent times.

Clarke will use the games against the Dutch and Northern Ireland, whose squad will almost certainly include Argyle goalkeeper Conor Hazard, as preparation for Scotland's participation in the Euro 2024 finals in Germany this summer.

Hardie is the joint-sixth top scorer in the Championship with 12 goals, and that is even after he had two short spells out of action earlier in the season. McDermott thought that probably had not got as much attention north of the border as it should.

McDermott told Herald Sport: "People in Scotland are definitely aware of Hardie because he came through the ranks at Rangers with a good reputation as a finisher and then did well during loan spells - particularly at Livingston.

"He's effectively scored goals wherever he's been and also did well for Scotland's U21 team as a youngster. Obviously, Plymouth aren't one of the more high-profile teams in the Championship so maybe that goes against him in terms of getting noticed and the perception around him.