A Stranraer footballer’s FA Cup heroics have been recognised at the Scottish Parliament.
Ryan Hardie scored the only goal as his Plymouth Argyle side stunned English Premier League leaders Liverpool in the fourth round of the competition.
And now the former Rangers and Livingston forward’s contribution is the subject of a parliamentary motion lodged at Holyrood by Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson.
It states: “That the parliament congratulates the footballer, Ryan Hardie, from Stranraer, who caused one of the biggest upsets in FA Cup history when his penalty kick sensationally knocked Liverpool out of the 2024-25 tournament and allowed his English Championship team, Plymouth Argyle, to progress to the next round; recognises that Ryan began his career at Rangers, before being loaned to Raith Rovers, St Mirren and Livingston, and eventually moved to Blackpool before a three-year contract with Plymouth, where he was clubs top goal scorer in League One in 2022-23, and wishes Ryan continued success in the FA Cup and with helping Argyle as the team tries to avoid relegation.”
Click here for more news and sport from Dumfries and Galloway.
Hardie, 27, started his career with Rangers and was loaned to Raith Rovers, St Mirren and Livingston.
In 2019 he signed for Blackpool before joining current club Plymouth, initially on loan before signing a permanent contract.
His penalty against Liverpool is one of five goals he’s scored in February and he’ll be hoping to pull off another shock when the Devon club takes on English champs Manchester City in the fifth round on March 1.