'I'll never give up': Huddersfield Town loan striker and Wrexham forward Ryan Hardie's Scotland message
APPROACHING his 29th birthday, Huddersfield Town loan striker Ryan Hardie has achieved a fair bit in football, but there's something that he would still dearly love to tick off.
Namely representing his beloved Scotland at senior level.
The former Rangers striker has represented his nation at under-16, 17, 19, 20 and 21 age group levels but a first full call-up has so far proved elusive.
The claims of the Stranraer-born frontman, who joined Town on deadline-day from Championship outfit Wrexham were touted periodically during his time at Plymouth Argyle.
Hardie is set for his first return to Home Park later this month following his move to north Wales last summer.
He provided the first glimpse into his predatory talents for Town with a vital match-winning goal from the bench in last weekend's derby against Barnsley.
Brought into fire the goals to hopefully lead the Terriers to promotion, Hardie is not throwing in the towel on his Tartan Army dream either.
He said: "I'll never give up. Obviously, it's something that you want to do as a footballer. I've represented every age group.
"And I think last year was the first time that I've maybe felt like I'm getting closer to it because I'd had back-to-back seasons at double figures (in terms of goals) in the Championship and before that (in League One).
"I know what it takes to get into a national team. You don't just get it on a fluke.
"It takes merit. When I got into the Championship, I think I was getting closer and closer last year.
"And that was kind of part and parcel why I made the move to Wrexham to try and stay in the Championship and force my way into the national team.
"But it's not worked out. And that's just football. But I'll obviously never give up."