Rangers: BBC Sport pundit slams Philippe Clement as Lawrence Shankland transfer claim made
Rangers should have paid Hearts what they wanted for Lawrence Shankland in the January transfer window.
That is according to former Jambos defender Allan Preston, who believes the Edinburgh club will not be able to keep hold of the “best striker in Scotland.”
The verdict comes after the forward netted for Hearts in their 2-0 win against Celtic at Tynecastle on Sunday (3 March), with Jorge Grant also on target.
“I’ve said to friends – I’m doubtful Hearts can keep Shankland,” Preston said on BBC Sportsound (2.27pm, 3 March).
“If I was Rodgers or Clement in January, I’d have paid what Hearts wanted because he scores goals. He’s the best striker in Scotland, and he could have won one of them the league.”
Rangers to move for Lawrence Shankland this summer?
The Ibrox club definitely did strengthen their attack in the January transfer window, with the likes of Oscar Cortes and Fabio Silva coming to the club, both on loan.
There was plenty of speculation surrounding Shankland and a potential move to Ibrox, but it did not transpire, with the star striker staying at Tynecastle.
And he may just have done Rangers a massive favour, with the forward scoring a crucial goal to help Hearts defeat Celtic, handing the Bhoys a massive blow to their title hopes.
The loss for Brendan Rodgers’s side does, however, follow a hugely disappointing result for the Gers, who lost 2-1 at home to Motherwell on Saturday (2 March).
Defeats for the two Glasgow giants mean the Ibrox club remain at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, two points ahead of their fierce rivals.
Both sides have played 29 matches, but Philippe Clement must now turn his attentions to Europe, with a Europa League last 16 tie with Benfica up next.
In other Rangers news, one youngster can follow Ross McCausland to Ibrox stardom after a B Team development.
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