The striker climbed off the bench to net a second half equaliser for Jo Potter’s side in the top of the table clash.
The English ace fired home from Katie Wilkinson’s pass and secured a point for the Light Blues after Emily Whelan put City ahead in the first period.
Hardy knows the first 45 minutes wasn’t good enough, but is pleased the squad were able to grab a share of the spoils.
Speaking to RangersTV, she said: “It was great to be back - it was an unbelievable feeling to score at Ibrox and hopefully there will be more fans at the next game.
“We really heard them and they helped push us on towards the end of the game.
“It was a game of two halves. In the first half you could say they were the better team.
“Going 1-0 down is something we aren’t used to doing. In the second half we changed it.
“We took more control, that is something we pride ourselves on. We want to take the game to the other team.
“We wanted to win it, but in the end we will take the point.”
Hardy was left out of the starting line up by boss Potter, with Wilkinson joined in attack by Kirsty Howat.
Last season’s top scorer was introduced early in the second half and made a quick impact.
She was delighted to have a say in the final outcome and believes there are positives to take ahead of next Sunday’s trip to Hibernian.
She added: “I am happy how I contributed, but there were times I could have been better to help us get the three points.
“I am happy to score again and help the team and I am pleased to have an impact.
“We want to hurt teams and we tried to do that more in the second half than we did in the first half.
“We have to take the positives going into the game against Hibs.
“We will look back at this game, we will go again and build on the positives, but we will also look at the things we can do better.”