Lawrence Shankland ‘tapped up’ admission made amid Rangers transfer development
Lawrence Shankland continues to be heavily linked with a move to Rangers as the days tick down on his Hearts contract.
Shankland is set to leave Hearts at the end of the campaign and is already free to discuss a pre-contract arrangements with clubs outside of Scotland.
Rangers have been the side most strongly touted with Shankland, with the Gers told they have a potential bargain on their hands.
While the Light Blues are not officially allowed to discuss terms with the 29-year-old at this stage, one Rangers-mad pundit hopes they are doing whatever they can behind the scenes.
It comes on the back of a recent development in which it was claimed Shankland would have no problem in passing a medical at Ibrox.
Derek Ferguson desperate for Lawrence Shankland transfer at Rangers
Shankland has not managed to replicate his form of last season this time around, but Derek Ferguson believes he will still be an asset for the Gers.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, Ferguson said: “Hearts started the season badly as a collective and they’ve relied on Shankland so much. His general outfield play has been as good as it was, but he was snatching at one or two things.
“When you have an opportunity to get a player for free, a player who is at a good age, who is a captain, who is a talented boy who can bang in the goals in all types of ways, is a Rangers supporter we’re led to believe, it’s an absolute no-brainer.
“I hope someone’s tapped him up; someone quite persuasive has reached out to try to get him to come to Rangers.”
Lawrence Shankland goals record in Scottish Premiership
Shankland has four goals in 21 Scottish Premiership outings for Hearts this season, which is a rather underwhelming return.
| Games Played | 95 |
| Games Started | 89 |
| Goals scored | 52 |
| Goals assisted | 12 |
That compares to 24 goals in 37 appearances last season when finishing as top scorer in the division, four ahead of James Tavernier.
Only three of those goals were penalties, while he also chipped in with four assists for his team-mates.
Shankland also netted 24 league goals the season before, so his overall tally stands at 52 league goals in 95 league outings for Hearts.
If Rangers can therefore land him on a free, it would be, as Ferguson says, “a no-brainer” for Nils Koppen and Co.