Rangers can use James Tavernier as secret agent to make Lawrence Shankland next Ibrox signing as transfer news emerge
Rangers hold a strong interest in signing Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland this summer and already have a key Ibrox tool ready to exploit should they wish to get a deal done.
The 27-year-old striker has enjoyed a sensational campaign at Tynecastle Park, netting a whopping 28 goals in all competitions and only finishing behind Kyogo Furuhashi and Kevin van Veen in the Scottish Premiership’s top scorer charts.
After losing frontman Alfredo Morelos, Rangers have a gaping hole up-front and it seems as if Michael Beale has identified the Scottish international as a potential target.
According to TEAMtalk [8 June] the forward currently sits very high on their list of striker targets for the summer transfer window, as Beale looks to secure possibly two striker additions to replace the Colombian at Ibrox.
The Gers have already been busy in what will arguably be their biggest summer window in years, completing deals for both Kieran Dowell, Dujon Sterling and Jack Butland and are already on the hunt for another signing as Beale plays the role of an unofficial sporting director at Ibrox becoming so efficient and decisive with his targets.
However, with Morelos gone and Antonio Colak facing an uncertain future in Glasgow, the need for a consistent goalscorer is rather a desperate one and the Gers have already identified potential targets in the likes of Cyriel Dessers.
However, if Rangers were looking to secure a striker who could offer swift guarantees of bedding in at Ibrox, as well as holding crucial Scottish Premiership experience and is a proven goal-getter, Shankland is easily their best bet.
The five-cap Scottish international was flawless last season, notching 21 Scottish top-flight goals, registering four assists and 28 goals in all competitions in his first season at the club after joining from Beerschot last summer.
Wherever the forward has played, he has scored goals. Between 2017-2019 he netter 50 goals from 61 appearances for Ayr United, before notching up a similarly strong record at Dundee United with 32 strikes from 59 games.
And now that both Morelos and Ryan Kent have left Ibrox, this looks like the perfect option to reignite the Gers’ attack into life.
Should Rangers find a potential deal difficult to complete, they already possess a player capable of lending a helping hand in James Tavernier. The Ibrox legend and veteran holds the same agent as Shankland – StormSportsX and given the striker’s qualities and Rangers’ desperate need for goals next season, Beale may well utilise Tavernier as a secret agent to get a deal done at Ibrox.
It’s always useful for one of your players to hold the same representatives as a top target and Beale now has that luxury of using one of his biggest personalities in the dressing room to secure a potential deal.
Shankland is a superb opportunity Rangers cannot afford to pass up on and should any difficulties arise, Tavernier may well increase his standing and legendary status at Ibrox by aiding the signing of a perfect Morelos replacement.
In other Rangers news, work permit issues have now emerged which means that the club may not be able to complete a major signing this summer.