Rangers need to complete deadline-busting Lawrence Shankland transfer as surprise January verdict emerges
Barry Ferguson has admitted that he is surprised that English clubs haven’t looked to sign Lawrence Shankland this summer but believes he would be a “brilliant” last-minute addition at Rangers.
The Scotland international has been repeatedly linked with a move to Ibrox in the January transfer window as Philippe Clement looks to add to his forward line, but with the deadline drawing in, no such deal has been made.
While Cyriel Dessers has begun to find his feet at Ibrox, Ferguson still thinks the Light Blues should push to sign Shankland before the Thursday (1 February) deadline, suggesting he’d score a “barrel load” of goals under Clement.
Speaking on The Go Radio Football Show (29 January, 1:00:40) he said: “I still think they need to go and get a number nine because you don’t know the scenario with Danilo, Kemar Roofe has suffered so many injuries. Sima’s another one you could have maybe played through the middle, but he’s going to be missing.
“I still think it’s an area of the pitch, even with Dessers starting to show what he’s capable of doing, I still think they do need to go and strengthen in that area of the pitch and I think Lawrence Shankland, probably the most improved players in Scottish football over the last 12 months.
“His overall game has come on so much, we know he can put the ball in the back of the net but his link-up play, his strong upper body, he can hold up centre-halves, he can bring people into play, his movement, everything about him I think he’s a very, very good centre-forward.
“I’m surprised other clubs maybe down south aren’t not looking thinking he would do a job. If I’m talking for Rangers sake he would certainly come in and score a barrel load of goals. I think he would do a brilliant job.”
Get it done
This story has dominated the January transfer window at Rangers, even though it doesn’t appear to be any closer now than it did all the way back at Christmas.
Rangers need a new number nine and Shankland does seem like the perfect fit given his fantastic form for Hearts this season and his consistently excellent record during his career in the Scottish Premiership.
But time is running out for Clement and his recruitment team to get a deal over the line and the Gers need to get a move on if they want to bring the Hearts forward to Glasgow before the January window slams shut.
This deal is a no-brainer for all parties involved if Rangers have the financial means to get it over the line. Hopefully, they’ll manage to act before it’s too late.
In other Rangers news, the Gers are working hard to complete a deadline-busting for a new striker this January
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