Lawrence Shankland threat could soon leave Hearts striker unaffordable to Rangers amid transfer speculation
Lawrence Shankland could “soon fall into the unaffordable category” for Rangers if a foreign club comes in for him, according to Mail Plus.
John McGarry writes for the outlet’s website on 21 November that Michael Beale’s lack of interest in the Hearts captain during the summer was a “curious business” as he instead opted to spend around £13million on Danilo, Sam Lammers and Cyriel Dessers, with only the former emerging as a decent addition so far.
As the Scotland international’s contract isn’t set to expire until 2025 he is expected to cost a “pretty penny” but not necessarily more than the three summer imports, with “snobbery” seen as a possible explanation for Rangers and Celtic’s reluctance to sign from within the SPFL.
Rangers fans are increasingly hoping that Philippe Clement will turn to Shankland in the January transfer window, but it has been suggested that if a club outside Scotland now decides to match Hearts’ asking price he will be off-limits at Ibrox.
The likes of Aaron Hickey, Lewis Ferguson, Josh Doig, Ryan Porteous and Kevin Nisbet are among the names that he would join in that instance, as players overlooked by the top Scottish clubs only to head to another league and prove themselves.
Better late than never, but too late?
The decision to go for Dessers and Lammers over Shankland appears to have been proven a mistake unless there is a wild switch in fortunes at Ibrox and Tynecastle in the coming months.
It might be seen by some as underwhelming to shop from within the confines of Scottish football but when that is exactly where Rangers are operating it would surely serve them well to bring in players they know can do a job here.
The likes of Porteous and Ferguson would surely have been beneficial to the Gers but those ships appear to have long sailed.
And with major speculation heating up around Shankland ahead of January it would be arguably be a problem of the club’s, or at least Beale’s, own making if he were instead snapped up elsewhere.
Since the former manager was signing multiple new options in front of goal he could have gone for at least one that has proven themselves in the SPFL and still had room to target multiple overseas options.
But when he jettisoned another man who knew where the goal was in Scotland by selling Antonio Colak it is perhaps no surprise.
Clement looks like he might have taken Shankland when he had the chance but whether the opportunity has gone begging since remains to be seen.
If the Jambos man stays in Scotland then there is surely every chance that the Light Blues at least attempt to belatedly bring him in, but they will have to hope nobody else now gets there first.
In other Rangers news, if Shankland proves out of reach a surprise alternative has now opened the door to an Ibrox switch in January.