Pundit slams Rangers strikers in ‘no disrespect’ verdict as Lawrence Shankland Hearts prediction made
Rangers do not have any strikers at the same level as Hearts ace Lawrence Shankland, according to pundit Ryan Stevenson.
The Scotland international has found the back of the net 11 times from his 21 appearances in all competitions this season.
Hearts welcome Philippe Clement’s side to Tynecastle for a Scottish Premiership clash on Wednesday (6 December).
“Hearts are the third biggest club in Scotland,” Stevenson wrote for the Daily Record. “They are now sitting there again in the table and it’s time to build on that. They have to get at Rangers. They can’t show too much respect. The fans want to see them go hell for leather, a good old blood and thunder approach.
“Get down the side of them, get crosses in the box, supply Lawrence Shankland with chances. Therein lies the key. All eyes will be on Shankland given the rumours linking him with Ibrox. I wouldn’t be surprised if he bags a couple of goals.
“No disrespect but if there’s one good striker on the park tomorrow it’s Lawrence because I don’t think Rangers have any at his level just now.”
Top talent
Shankland is certainly a top talent, with many Gers fans perhaps wishing he was lining out for them rather than their opponents at Tynecastle on Wednesday.
He is a firm favourite at Hearts, with fans of the Edinburgh club certain to be absolutely devastated if he did one day leave them for rivals Rangers.
For now, however, his focus will be set firmly on causing an upset against the visitors, with Hearts keen to close the gap on the Gers in the Scottish Premiership table. They currently sit third on 23 points and are full of confidence after winning their last four league matches.
Rangers meanwhile currently occupy second spot on 31 points, eight behind leaders Celtic, although the former do have a game in hand.
While Shankland has been scoring for fun, Clement may just point out that his on-loan attacker Abdallah Sima also has 11 goals to his name this season.
In other Rangers news, a Sky Sports pundit has slammed a Gers “failure” as a “booby prize” is on the cards for the Ibrox club.