Rangers: Lawrence Shankland reacts to transfer ‘circus’ then strikes in Hearts win over Celtic
Lawrence Shankland has called the situation around his future a “circus” amid transfer links to Rangers during the January transfer window.
The Hearts captain told Sky Sports (11.37am) on 3 March, before he scored in the 2-0 victory over Celtic which kept the Light Blues at the top of the table, that he has tried to keep away from the situation unless or until he is approached directly to discuss it.
For the majority of the campaign there has been significant speculation that Philippe Clement would try to sign the 28-year-old amid another excellent season in front of goal, but Tynecastle chiefs denied there was ever a record-breaking offer mooted in the winter window.
Shankland said: “Circus. It was a circus at times, but for me I just concentrate on the hear and now and what I’m doing at the club.
“Until it gets to the stage where somebody comes to you and wants to have a conversation about it, it doesna really involve me.”
Lawrence Shankland boosts Rangers title hopes despite no Tynecastle exit in January
Having rejected offers to extend his stay as Hearts skipper past the conclusion of his current deal at the end of next season the Scotland striker’s future will remain in question heading into the summer.
His 27 goals and counting this term across all competitions can’t fail to generate interest as long as he only has a year left on his contract.
While Cyriel Dessers and Fabio Silva have largely stepped up since January they couldn’t do the business in the shock 2-1 defeat to Motherwell this weekend, leading to speculation that the failure to push for Shankland midseason could come back to haunt the title bid.
That the man himself then went and helped dig Rangers out of a hole in defeating Brendan Rodgers’ side won’t have done anything to dispel the idea that he could have been the difference at Ibrox.
That is clearly impossible now so Clement must plot the course without him, and with Danilo expected back for next season it remains to be seen whether the Belgian will look to sign the Jambos star after all.
He had a tough time in the 5-0 hammering a week ago but has already scored twice against the Gers this term, and now three times vs Celtic, to make a strong case for it.
In other Rangers news, the Light Blues are eyeing up a bargain deal to bring in a goalscoring ace from England.
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