Rangers fans ‘delight’ at what Lawrence Shankland did in Hearts loss at Ibrox – BBC commentator
Lawrence Shankland caused “delight” among the Rangers fans at Ibrox as he reacted with “frustration” to being substituted in the 5-0 Hearts loss at Ibrox, according to Liam McLeod.
Speaking live on BBC Radio Scotland on 24 February the commentator described the “almost perpetually linked” striker’s angry reaction as he was withdrawn in the 79th minute, throwing his captain’s armband as he went off.
McLeod said (4.41pm): “Here come the changes and Lawrence Shankland is going to come off for the last 12 minutes, they want to keep him fresh for the derby during the week.”
To background cheers from the Ibrox crowd he added: “He tosses the captain’s armband away in frustration, much to the delight of the Rangers supporters.
“He was almost perpetually linked to a move here in January, much to the annoyance of the Hearts fans. It’s not been his afternoon and he’s unable to continue his scoring streak.”
Lawrence Shankland frustrated on return to Rangers as Hearts torn apart at Ibrox
Having arguably been the star of the show as the Jambos came within minutes of an historic Ibrox victory back on 29 October it was anything but on his latest visit.
That day he had scored a wonderful goal and contributed in defence to kickstart speculation over a possible Gers move, with opposite number Cyriel Dessers struggling.
While Shankland hit the post late on in defeat as Rangers went five points clear of Celtic he could do little about the onslaught from the home side, with the Nigerian scoring just before and just after half time to make the points safe.
The Gers man’s first arrived in the 44th minute as he converted a stunning John Souttar ball in, and the second in the 48th after a lengthy VAR review for handball as he controlled a similarly-excellent Dujon Sterling cross.
Shankland will continue to be linked to Rangers as the summer approaches unless he changes course and accepts a Hearts contract extension, but on current evidence Philippe Clement’s side are in good enough form to be in with a strong shout of the title without him, as Dessers and Fabio Silva added three of their five.
In other Rangers news, an Ibrox star responded to questioning from Tom English over a confrontation with a supporter.
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