Lawrence Shankland doubts raised by senior Rangers figures as Hearts transfer update emerges

Rangers figures high up at the club doubt that Lawrence Shankland fits Philippe Clement's desire for pressing from the front, according to Rangers Review.

Joshua Barrie reported via the outlet's website on 24 July that sources at the club have suggested "senior figures" raised the issue amid strong links to a move for Hearts star that amounted to nothing in the previous transfer window.

Hearts have reportedly not yet received any bids for the Scotland international this summer despite the 28-year-old having entered the final year of his contract at Tynecastle.

The Daily Record reported on 22 July that Clement was reconsidering his previous stance and Shankland was back on the wanted list at Ibrox.

Rangers could help fund approach with Sam Lammers sale

The Tynecastle captain is obviously not the perfect player otherwise he wouldn't even be in the Scottish Premiership any more so some reservations are understandable.

But he is proven beyond doubt that he can score goals in this division and there hasn't been a huge amount of evidence of the Light Blues' ability to do that prior to the Birmingham game.

Danilo may prove to be crucial once he is back to full fitness and if Cyriel Dessers isn't sold he did manage to put away 22 last season.

If exits can be pushed through to fund a move for another striker that does fit the pressing profile the manager wants then it might work out fine for Shankland to stay in Edinburgh, but that has looked unlikely of late.

Rangers are aware they could sign him for nothing next summer [Scottish Daily Mail, 1 July], but the exact same reason Hearts are willing to keep hold of him until then also applies at Ibrox [Edinburgh News, 24 July].

They are confident that he is worth more in goals, and therefore European qualification cash, than a transfer fee now, so he might equally be worth spending on for Rangers if it would mean a title and a Champions League place.

Sam Lammers appears to finally be on the brink of an exit to FC Twente with a multimillion pound fee on the cards [Andrea Losapio, 24 July].

Even if there are doubts at Ibrox about Shankland's profile there would surely be few who would argue with substituting the Dutchman out and making an effort to replace him with the Scot but time is running out to start making bids if they are going to.

In other Rangers news, FFP issues have emerged in the pursuit of an exit-bound Light Blues attacker.

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