Rangers to upgrade on Danilo and Cyriel Dessers with long-awaited Lawrence Shankland move
Lawrence Shankland is definitely an upgrade on both Danilo and Cyriel Dessers at Rangers but he may not fit Philippe Clement’s playing style, says Derek Ferguson.
Similar reservations are believed to be held high up at Rangers [Rangers Review, 24 July] but after selling Sam Lammers to FC Twente the Daily Record reported on 29 July that Clement has been told the cash is now available to push for the striker if he wants him.
The manager and his staff have since been holding internal talks over making a bid as he is said to have warmed to the idea of bringing the 28-year-old in after missing out on the league and cup last season.
And former Ibrox favourite Ferguson admits he would “love” to see the Light Blues move to sign the Hearts star as he would instantly be a step up on the current options.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News about the renewed interest he said: “I would love that. There’s a lot to like about Shankland.
“But when I spoke to a few of my pals and that the way the manager wants to play I sometimes wonder if he’s going to be suited.
“Because he likes to press and I don’t think that’s Shankland’s game. He’s a clever football player and a brilliant finisher.
“Is he a step up from Danilo and Dessers? Absolutely.”
Hearts star may not fit Philippe Clement set up at Rangers
Dessers can’t be accused of not being committed to the Light Blues cause [Rangers Review, 28 July] despite coming in for extensive criticism over his year in Glasgow, but even after 22 goals last term he seems best suited to being a second or third choice if he stays in the face of widespread transfer interest [Rangers Review, 3 July].
Danilo is one of many Gers players to have seen their Ibrox careers fail to get off the ground thanks to miserable luck with injuries but is expected to bounce back from his nightmare debut season to be a big contributor this term [Kris Boyd, 5 July].
But after 59 goals in just two seasons for Hearts it is hard to argue that Shankland isn’t a cut above both in terms of scoring, at least in the Scottish Premiership.
If Clement feels his current options are better at pressing he only has to look at last season to see that didn’t translate into a title, so will have to decide whether the trade-off between goal-threat and team shape is worth it to him.
In other Rangers news, another Ibrox striker target missed a match for his team because a new bid is incoming for him.
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