Breaking News:Hearts chief makes surprised Lawrence Shankland transfer admission amid Rangers talk
Hearts CEO Andrew McKinlay has confirmed Rangers did not make an offer for Lawrence Shankland in the summer transfer window.
The Scotland striker was prolific at Tynecastle last season but it was not enough for the Gers to launch a bid as fans demanded a new frontman, with reports strongly linking him with a switch and suggesting talks had taken place [HITC, 3 September].
McKinlay, speaking to Sky Sports News [25 September], admits he was surprised no bids arrived on the table for the 29-year-old – from Ibrox nor elsewhere.
He said: “There’s nothing at the moment and we didn’t receive any offers [in the summer], which surprised me given Lawrence’s performances last season. It certainly didn’t disappoint me because I’m delighted to keep Lawrence for this year, and I hope for longer.
“I don’t see there being a decision to make in January, it looks like Lawrence will see out the last year of his contract, but I’d be delighted to have a conversation if there’s one to be had to see if there’s a way that we could persuade him to stay here longer.”
Rangers did not bid for Lawrence Shankland
Shankland is yet to score in eight games in all competitions this season, having netted 31 and 28 in each of the past two campaigns.
But that does little to tar the reputation which earned him a spot in Steve Clarke’s Scottish squad for Euro 2024, and which has seen him heavily linked with Rangers.
The demands for him over the summer were never publicly approved by Philippe Clement, nor did the Belgian make any outright effort to displace Cyriel Dessers, who scored 22 goals last season and already boasts seven in nine this term.
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Lawrence Shankland
Lawrence Shankland scored 31 goals last season and has been linked with Rangers
Out of contract next summer, Hearts are in a predicament with Shankland and McKinlay has been put on the spot over the current stance on his new contract in Edinburgh.
Turning 30 next August, it is thought that his next contract has to be very carefully considered, and a shot at domestic glory and a return to European football may well appeal above anything else.
In other Rangers news, Simon Jordan slams John Gilligan live on talkSPORT.
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