Exclusive: Bolton Boss Steven Schumacher Targets Former Star to Boost Promotion Push

Bolton Wanderers’ boss Steven Schumacher is eager for a reunion with striker Ryan Hardie this month, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

The former Plymouth Argyle man, 28, moved to Wrexham for £700,000 in the summer following Argyle’s relegation to League One. 

But Hardie could be on the move just six months into his three-year deal at the Racecourse Ground. 

The Scottish hitman has failed to catch fire for the Red Dragons with his only goal coming in the League Cup. 

In terms of Championship football, Hardie has made just two brief cameos off the bench since mid September. 

Our sources have been told Schumacher is ready to offer him a lifeline to escape his Welsh nightmare and believes he could help his former star rediscover his best form. 

At his best, Hardie could prove the difference in terms of whether or not the Trotters get promoted this season. 

Schumacher was Ryan Lowe’s assistant when he secured Hardie’s services at Home Park in 2020, initially on loan before he signed a permanent deal at the club. 

When Lowe left the club, Schumacher took the reigns and masterminded the Greens’ promotion to the Championship. 

Schumacher was awarded the League One Manager of the Year gong after the promotion-winning campaign, where Hardie netted 13 times. 

Plymouth are interested in a dramatic return for the fan favourite just six months after he left for pastures new.

But it is understood wages would prove to be a stumbling block unless Hardie took a pay cut.

Short-lived Stay

Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers were both credited with interest in the player earlier in the season, but our sources have been told both clubs have moved on to other targets.

Hardie came through the academy at Rangers before moving to Blackpool in 2019.

He made just seven league appearances for the club and went on loan to Plymouth for a season-and-a-half before his career-changing move to Devon.