Cyriel Dessers exit now on the cards at Ibrox as Rangers bid to be submitted for Lawrence Shankland
Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland is on the Rangers transfer radar this month but Philippe Clement will need to move players on, according to Graeme Bailey.
The HITC journalist speaking to Rangers News (16 January) believes that the Gers will make a bid to sign the 13-goal forward this month but will need to move players on before any approach can be made.
Bailey added that the Gers could look to move on one attacker to make space for the Scottish Premiership top scorer and name-checked Cyriel Dessers as a potential option given his struggles at Ibrox since his summer move.
Bailey said: “Lawrence Shankland is absolutely on Rangers’ radar. Speaking to people who are aware of his situation, he is on the list at Ibrox. I think we’ll see also see a Rangers forward move on in this window. Whether that’s Dessers, who it hasn’t quite happened for, I think the club needs to move someone on.
“I think Rangers will make a bid for Lawrence Shankland this month but yes, it’s not always easy to move players on. Shankland is recognised as someone who could hit the ground running. Keep an eye on it.”
Not untouchable
It feels like a now-or-never situation for Rangers if they want to land a deal to sign Shankland following the latest contract news coming out of Hearts (Edinburgh Evening News, 15 January).
The Edinburgh side have made their intentions clear to the forward and it’s now up to him whether or not he wants to commit his long-term future to the club.
However, that doesn’t mean he is untouchable and Shankland can certainly increase his stock and reputation by joining one of the country’s biggest clubs and helping them finally topple Celtic.
With his current deal expiring in 2025, now is certainly the best time for the Gers to try and submit a bid as his price will only go up if he signs a new contract and the Jambos would be under no pressure to sell.
It’s a dream that every Rangers fan wants and needs given the player’s superb record in the competition. However, if the club are to make that dream a reality, they will need to sell players because Shankland won’t come cheap should he sign that new deal.
The club simply have to move fast on outgoings if they are to secure the dream signing of Shankland and given his record in the competition and the Light Blues’ desperate need for his services, it is a move the club should really be on the top of their agenda.
In other Rangers news, an overseas journalist has made a “serious” admission about an exit-linked Gers player.