Rangers question raised as Shankland on verge of transfer agreement

Rangers have been linked with Hearts forward Lawrence Shankland across a number of transfer windows.

The transfer speculation surrounding Shankland and Rangers reached a peak in January when it looked as though the Gers would finally make their move.

Hearts were playing hardball last summer, but the Scotland international is out of contract at Tynecastle this month and is therefore available on a free transfer.

And with the attacker almost certain to leave Hearts, Rangers have once again been credited with an interest in Shankland.

However, the 29-year-old now looks to be heading south of the border if the latest updates are anything to go by.

West Brom close to reaching Shankland transfer agreement

Shankland looks as though he will put pen to paper on a contract with English Championship side West Brom.

According to former journalist Dood via X (7 June), talks have gone well between Shankland and West Brom, with a deal expected to go through.

Rangers-mad pundit Derek Ferguson, speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, has questioned why the Gers did not make a move of their own.

"Fans have been calling for this signing for the past year and a half or so," he said. "You look at the last three or four games of the season and he played in his proper position up top.

"He spent large parts of the campaign in a position that was alien to him. He's always been a quality player. If you get he ball to him in the box, he'll stick it in the net.

"Now we'll probably miss out on him and that's a real shame. He wouldn't have needed a fee, either, beyond his wages."

Rangers cannot rely on Dessers for goals

The speculation surrounding Shankland and Rangers was particularly intense around the turn of the year due to Cyriel Dessers' underwhelming form.

However, Dessers surprised many with his goals return for Rangers come the end of the campaign, and it is fair to say he has the quality to lead the attack.

Strengthening around him will be key this summer, and the arrival of Shankland would have been an easy fix.

It was not to be, though, and instead it looks as though he will now play what should be his peak years in England.