Shankland to Rangers transfer news emerges from Hearts as Russell Martin hired
Rangers have had a busy few days as Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises look to implement their first major changes since taking over at Ibrox.
The new regime has only just begun at Ibrox, but the groundwork is already in place for the start of the new era.
A press conference was held on Thursday (5 June), to unveil Russell Martin as the Bears’ new boss, officially bringing Barry Ferguson’s interim tenure to a close.
Attention will now turn towards giving Martin the resources he needs to be able to assemble a squad capable of ending Celtic’s Scottish Premiership dominance next season.
Rangers monitor Lawrence Shankland
Martin’s time in charge of the Govan outfit has only just begun, but the new-look recruitment department are already eyeing up potential signings that could propel the club into title contention next term.
One of those is Hearts’ prolific striker Lawrence Shankland, whose contract at Tynecastle is set to expire in the next few weeks.
Rangers have been monitoring his situation, according to the Edinburgh Evening News (5 June), but with the changes that have come at the club lately, it remains to be seen whether their interest will materialise.
The frontman is believed to be in discussions with boss Derek McInnes about the possibility of a fresh deal to keep him at Hearts, but the likes of West Brom and Southampton are also thought to be interested in taking the 29-year-old south of the border.
Shankland is also understood to have already rejected at least one offer from abroad.
Shankland would be a great signing for Rangers
There have been few men in Scottish football who can match Shankland’s goalscoring record over the last few years.
He has just finished his third campaign with the Edinburgh outfit, and although his numbers experienced a slight drop-off this time around, there can be no doubt about his ability to find the back of the net.
| Season | Apps | Goals | Assists |
| 2024/25 | 32 | 8 | 8 |
| 2023/24 | 37 | 24 | 4 |
| 2022/23 | 37 | 24 | 4 |
| Total | 106 | 56 | 16 |
The former Dundee United man plundered 24 league goals in each of his first two campaigns at Tynecastle, and that run of form has catapulted him into the national team’s setup.
Rangers will undoubtedly face plenty of competition for the frontman, not least from Hearts themselves, but it would surely be a no-brainer if the opportunity to sign him arose, especially considering he will likely be available on a free transfer.