Lawrence Shankland breaks silence on Hearts transfer talk amid Rangers links
Lawrence Shankland has admitted he was “sick of hearing my own name” amid heavy transfer links to Rangers during the January transfer window.
The 28-year-old was reportedly in favour of an Ibrox switch if it was possible [4th Official, 4 January] but says he was happy at Hearts ahead of the New Year and still is now, with nothing official reaching him in terms of interest in signing him.
The Gers supporter [Scottish Sun] was fielding regular inquiries from his own family about his future but clearly hasn’t let the speculation affect his form, netting 13 SPFL goals since his strike at Ibrox on 29 October really kicked off links to switching sides.
The Tynecastle captain was seen as the ideal answer to the lack of striking options at Ibrox heading into the winter window but nothing ultimately materialised.
Shankland told BBC Sport, via the Scottish Sun (4 February): “Obviously it brings a pressure. There’s a lot of noise and talk around the place. I was probably sick of hearing my own name in the end to be honest.
“My family were the same, they were always asking. But I was fully focused on my football. Even in December leading up to it, there was a lot of talk and I stayed focused on my football.
“I was performing well, still scoring goals and doing my job for Hearts. That was the most important thing I could focus on and do. I put all my focus on that and that got me through it. I just let the noise be in the background.
“I wasn’t aware of the price. That’s the part of it that’s out of my hands and what people probably don’t think of.
“Until somebody comes to Hearts and says ‘Here, this is what we’re giving you, are you accepting it?’, it doesn’t come as far as me. That probably allowed me to just go and enjoy my football.
“Nothing came about. I was happy to be here before and I’m happy to be here now. I’ve never once said that i’m desperate to get out the door.
“I’m enjoying my football, I’m scoring goals and leading the team out every week isn’t too bad”
Shankland still Hearts talisman despite Rangers speculation
Fabio Silva produced a timely reminder that perhaps he can lead the line for Philippe Clement after scoring his first for the club against Livingston on Saturday (3 February), and he is going to need to as the closest thing to a striker through the doors in the transfer market.
Danilo’s absence on top of Kemar Roofe’s ongoing struggles to stay fit had already left the Light Blues short in attack before Sam Lammers was allowed to leave on loan and, more importantly, star loanee Abdallah Sima was also ruled out for multiple months.
A number nine alternative to the, admittedly improving, Cyriel Dessers looked like the most obvious thing missing heading into the window and Shankland’s scoring record in the SPFL for Hearts made him a proven commodity.
It was never going to be a given to convince the Jambos to let their captain go, but it appears Rangers ultimately decided it wasn’t realistic.
Two more goals and an assist for Hearts in their 3-2 win over Dundee on Saturday, taking him to 21 strikes in all competitions this season, were a reminder of why he was coveted among the Rangers fan base.
But the Light Blues are closing the gap on Celtic at the top of the table as it is, and if Silva can build on his showing at Ibrox over the weekend while Dessers continues to grow in confidence then perhaps there will be enough in the squad.
Most fans would have felt a lot more confident if there was a Shankland among Clement’s options, or a Michy Batshuayi or even an Antonio Colak, but the Belgian will have to fight on the remaining three fronts with what he has and whether the Scotland international remains a possibility for the summer or not he looks like he will continue to prove crucial to Steven Naismith until then either way.
In other Rangers news, a key breakthrough has been made on another Ibrox transfer after days of delays through the deadline.
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