GOOD NEWS:philippe Clement Confirmed the return of former key player few minutes ago…
It wouldn’t be a transfer window without Rangers being linked with a move for Lawrence Shankland.
The Hearts skipper has hit over 30 goals in the last two seasons and has established himself as a Scotland international too – his performances in Germany at the European Championships suggesting that he should get more playing time.
According to The Daily Record, Lawrence Shankland to Rangers is ‘on’ with the Tynecastle outfit’s price tag also being revealed.
Lawrence Shankland dreams of stepping up as Rangers circle
There is a well reported problem though.
Philippe Clement needs to move bodies out of his squad first before he can hand Shankland his Ibrox dream.
It has been suggested that Sam Lammers has agreed terms with a new club and Cyriel Dessers has interest despite his desire to stay.
As for Shankland, on collecting the PFA Player of the Year award, the 28-year old was coy when asked about his future and where he will be this season, opening the door for a move to Rangers:
“I probably couldn’t tell you the answer to that to be honest.
“I am coming to a point in my contract with Hearts going into my last year where conversations will be had, there is no point in denying that. We will need to see what comes of those conversations.
“I have still got ambitions to get to a level. In football you always find your level. Then you get to a level and say, ‘Right, I wasn’t good enough there’. I don’t feel like I have got to that level that I am not good enough.
“It would be nice to kick on, see how far I can go in the game, try and play at a higher level than this. We will see what it brings. But I would never be disrespectful to what I have got at Hearts.
“The club have been great for me since I have gone there and have given me a real platform to perform at a high level with a top Scottish club. I really enjoy it there. If I am there for the next season, I am more than happy.”
Shankland also suggested he still harbours higher ambitions:
“You want to push on.
“Can I get somewhere where I say, ‘Right, that wasn’t good enough’? I don’t feel I have experienced that yet. You could finish your career and have regrets and say, ‘I wish I had tried that and seen if I could play there’. If you get the chance you try and go and do it.”
Shankland can be the solution to Rangers goal shy problems
At the end of last season, and in pre-season games, it has been blatantly obvious where Rangers biggest problem lies.
Against Standard Liege, Man Utd and Ajax, there were enough clear-cut chances created to score in open play and yet the only goal was a free-kick by Tom Lawrence against the Dutch giants.
Last summer, with a shortage of Scots and home-grown players in the squad, Shankland should have been signed.
For a reported £3m, Shankland is still a bargain this year.
When you consider the £4.5m fee spent on Dessers, it only makes the decision even more bizarre – and that isn’t with the benefit of hindsight.
Danilo is a more all-round player and probably better technically than Shankland with Hamza Igamane a bright prospect to support the main men.
Shankland though, is a natural in front of goal and something that has been missed since Jermain Defoe.
A player to kill teams off or to make the difference in a packed box when link up play and running channels isn’t needed.
It made sense last summer and it makes even more sense now.
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