Rio Hardy: Working Hard Is The Key

RIO HARDY believes hard work has been the key to Rangers’ flawless start to their SWPL campaign.

The Light Blues have netted 33 goals and kept four clean sheets in as many league outings this term, adding a second successive 9-0 scoreline in their most recent clash away to Montrose.

Katie Wilkinson has been key to the side’s attacking form with three hat-trick in as many starts since arriving at the club, but she has been ably assisted by the form of Hardy and Kirsty Howat who have also found their shooting boots.

Speaking to RangersTV to preview this weekend’s trip to face Dundee United, Hardy commented: “Hard work has been the key really. We have put in a lot of that on the training pitch in terms of working on combinations.

“That is credit to the players and coaches. It has been a long time coming in terms of trying to score that number of goals consistently and hopefully we can keep doing it.

“We all know what happened last season and we don’t want to be losing the league again on goal difference.

“That is something we are trying to take forward into each and every game. We aren’t taking our foot off the gas and we are trying to score as many goals as we can.

“Losing the league on goal difference hurt us for a long time. We want to put that right; we have had a good start to the season and long may that continue.”

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250824 Montrose vs Rangers WFC, Rio Hardy Goal Celebration 49

Hardy has enjoyed a positive start to the campaign, getting on the scoresheet once again as the Light Blues downed Montrose in emphatic fashion.

The 28-year-old is into her second campaign in Glasgow and believes the strength of the attacking options among the squad is continuing to raise standards.

She continued: “The competition amongst us is driving us on. We do our unit on and we drive the standards to put them into practice.

“We have a good relationship with each other and we are all trying to score as many goals as possible to help the team.

“I think I have started the season well. I want to help the team with as many goals and assists as I can.

“I work hard and I think good things come when you work as hard as possible and things are going OK so far, so hopefully it keeps going.

“I had the impact I wanted to when I joined the club last season. I had spoken to Jo about what we wanted to achieve.

“We missed out on the trophy we wanted but we still won two others so that is something to be proud of.”

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250824 Montrose vs Rangers WFC, Rio Hardy Goal 47

It promises to be a busy seven days for the Gers as they also shape up for their Champions League qualifying clash against Arsenal in midweek.

Hardy, however, says her side’s full focus is on their trip to Tayside at Sunday lunchtime.

She added: “We expect a tough test. They haven’t had the best start to the season, but we don’t take anyone lightly.

“We give everyone the respect they deserve but we are looking forward to getting back out onto the pitch.

“I got a hat-trick against them last time and here’s hoping I can do that again.

“It would be silly to say we don’t have one eye on Arsenal but the way we prepare for each game is important.

“We are fully focused on Dundee United.”


  

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