George Overhill

Sat 28 October 2023 9:10, UK

Philippe Clement’s comments on Lawrence Shankland were “interesting to hear” according to David Tanner, who suggested the possibility of a January Rangers bid.

The presenter reacted on Twitter to the Gers boss’ pre-match press conference on 27 October ahead of Hearts’ visit to Ibrox on Sunday (29 October), in which he noted “a few interesting players” in the Jambos line up and pointed out his familiarity with Shankland from his time at Beerschot where the Belgian began his own playing career.

The 28-year-old Scot has repeatedly been tipped as a possible target for the Light Blues in recent seasons, and with Michael Beale’s summer recruitment proving largely unsuccessful the question has arisen once more.

Tanner wrote: “Interesting to hear Philippe Clement talking about Hearts having “a few interesting players”.

“The Rangers manager volunteered an admiration for Lawrence Shankland, saying he’s been aware of him since the Hearts striker played in Belgium at Beerschot.

“Should he make a January bid?”

Is it time?

The apparent lack of ambition associated with looking within the SPFL to strengthen at Ibrox is often attached to suggestions of a move for Shankland.

But when Beale spent significant money to sign Cyriel Dessers, Sam Lammers and Danilo this summer, with Abdallah Sima arriving on loan, only for the unit to prove a disappointment perhaps the obvious answer is right in front of the decision makers at the club.

Sima is emerging as a genuinely successful signing while a facial fracture has interrupted Danilo’s development, but Dessers has struggled under the weight of expectation while Lammers has largely been bypassed by his start to life in Glasgow.

Shankland scored 27 times last season on his return to Scotland, including 24 in the SPFL, although his two league goals so far from a total of six in all competitions this term isn’t as sparkling.

Since an inability to stick with Celtic domestically has done for both Beale and Giovanni van Bronckhorst now the club could certainly make worse moves than signing a proven top flight scorer in Scotland.

And while the questions that are often mooted about an ability to step up and compete in Europe may be worth considering Shankland did score three in four in Europa Conference League qualifying, and the current Gers options aren’t all exactly on fire on the continent anyway.

It would be easier said than done since Hearts won’t just give him up but if Clement has already had an eye on Shankland prior to taking the job then there could well be an approach in the winter window if things don’t pick up for Lammers and Dessers.

In other Rangers news, a former Hibs pundit admitted he “got it completely wrong” about Clement’s start at Ibrox.