Rangers told to complete £3m Lawrence Shankland signing in ‘excellent, terrific’ January transfer
Kenny Miller has told Rangers to complete a £3 million transfer for “terrific” Hearts forward Lawrence Shankland in the January transfer window.
The Light Blues are expected to strengthen their forward line following a slow start to the campaign from Cyriel Dessers, Danilo and Kemar Roofe and Shankland has been the one name repeatedly linked with making the switch to Ibrox.
Shankland has 10 goals in 18 Scottish Premiership matches this season and BBC Sport pundit Miller has urged Rangers to complete a deal for the “excellent” forward as it could be the difference maker in the title race.
Writing for the Daily Record (24 December) he said: “Rangers missed a big signing opportunity in the summer. For me, Lawrence Shankland should have been at Ibrox long before now.
“If Shanks is a player Philippe Clement believes might be the difference in a title run-in, it’s worth asking the question and even if it does take £3m or so, they should do it. Because he’d be a terrific acquisition for Rangers.
“I’ve analysed Lawrence a lot recently and, for me, he’s got everything you’d want in a centre-forward. His all-round game is excellent. In fact, when I look at Shankland and Bojan Miovski at Aberdeen right now – both are better than anything on show at either Old Firm side.
“Rangers have looked further afield in the past, which is fine. But there’s a guy just along the M8 who will guarantee them 25 goals minimum every season.”
Has to be done
For the last couple of months, Scottish football pundits, journalists and supporters have taken turns suggesting that Rangers should look to bring Shankland to Ibrox this January and for good reason as the forward could be the difference maker this season.
While the likes of Dessers and Danilo have shown improvement as the season has gone on, barring the Brazilian’s recent injury, the Gers are still short of goals and lack that player who is capable of scoring 20-plus in a Premiership campaign.
Shankland is exactly that and his goal record not only in this season and last but also against the Old Firm clubs shows that he is more than capable of matching the standard required at the top end of the Scottish football pyramid.
As Miller suggested, it is likely to be an expensive deal because Hearts will be reluctant to sell a player in such excellent form, but it will be a price worth paying for Rangers as his goals alone would increase the chances of Clement lifting the Premiership at the end of the campaign.
In other Rangers news, Derek Ferguson has made a new admission over Dessers following the Gers’ win over St Johnstone