Rangers: Derek Ferguson shares what he’s now heard about Lawrence Shankland situation at Hearts
We’re delighted to welcome former Ibrox star Derek Ferguson as our exclusive Rangers columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points in Govan…
Derek Ferguson would be in favour of a “no-brainer” decision to sell Cyriel Dessers if it provided Rangers with the funds to sign Hearts ace Lawrence Shankland.
Philippe Clement is reportedly keen to add more firepower to his frontline before the transfer window closes on February 1 and Jambos skipper Shankland, 28, has been consistently linked.
Journalist Dean Jones told GIVEMESPORT (January 17) that he had heard Rangers are “open-minded” about the possibility of selling the much-maligned Dessers, who only joined the club in the summer, to free up space to bring in Shankland.
Former Rangers man Ferguson thinks it is clear Shankland – who has 13 goals in the Scottish Premiership this term – wants to make the switch to Ibrox but acknowledges it is fraught with complications.
Speaking to Ibrox News, he said: “It would make sense because I think Dessers has struggled it’s clear to see.
“But also it’s clear to see that Shankland is a proven goalscorer in this league. He’s the captain of Hearts, a Rangers supporter. I just think it’s a no-brainer and sometimes something like that’s just staring you right in the face.
“Rangers should be going out and getting him but are the funds there? It doesn’t look like it so I think that’s why you’ve maybe got to kind of create a situation where if it was Dessers to get out the club, get a few bob in, get a bit of money, then yeah it would make sense to bring a guy like Lawrence Shankland in.
“I don’t know his situation at Hearts, I think there’s talk of him signing a new contract but I don’t think it’s probably the kind of new contract that he’ll be looking for.
“I think they all know that Shankland would like to go to Rangers, he’s never hidden the fact that he’s a Rangers supporter so it’ll be an ideal situation, but will it happen?
“You’ve got to remember these guys are on good contracts and when he moves he’ll want to be on the same money. These guys are not going to drop money, not at the age they’re at.
“I mean Dessers is 29, he’s not got long left in his footballing career, he needs to earn as much money as he can so it’s got to be right for both parties.”
In other Rangers news, a journalist has shared if Abdallah Sima will return to Brighton after an injury blow.
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