‘Rangers forced to keep striker at Ibrox’ after what Lawrence Shankland will do
Russell Martin may block Kevin Thelwell from making a major transfer decision at Rangers due to Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland.
The former Southampton manager is hoping to build a competitive squad at the Gers for next season as he’s expected to compete with Celtic.
Shankland has long been linked with a move to Ibrox, and calls for his arrival to Glasgow have only intensified after his contract expired at the Jambos.
Cyriel Dessers and Hamza Igamane could be on their way out of the Light Blues this summer, but they could potentially be forced to keep one of them.
Dessers may stay at Rangers as Shankland set to sign new Hearts contract
Shankland has decided to sign a new contract at Hearts, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The journalist revealed on X (2 July) that the 29-year-old will re-sign at Tynecastle Park after rejecting big-money offers from abroad to continue at the Jambos under Derek McInnes.
It’s all but confirmed that the Scotland international won’t be moving to Ibrox this summer, who may need a replacement striker soon.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 43 | 9 | 11 |
AEK Athens have expressed interest in Dessers, but the Light Blues are yet to reach an agreement with the Greek outfit over his transfer.
Hamza Igamane’s transfer to LOSC Lille looks more likely at this stage, with the Glaswegian outfit making progress in their talks with the Ligue 1 outfit.
The Nigerian striker could potentially stay to maintain squad depth in G51, with Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises certainly hoping to make a profit on the Moroccan centre-forward.
Martin must push for new striker at Ibrox after Joe Rothwell agreement
Joe Rothwell’s move to Ibrox is close to being finalised, with the Englishman’s medical set to take place.
Lyall Cameron officially joined Rangers from Dundee after agreeing to a pre-contract agreement during the winter transfer window.
Max Aarons was the US consortium’s first summer addition at the Gers after arriving at the Light Blues on loan from Bournemouth, and Conor Coady is another defender on the radar at Ibrox.
Martin should now push for a new number nine at the Glaswegian outfit, even if Dessers stays, as the 30-year-old’s inconsistency is frustrating.
Shankland could arguably have been the Nigeria international’s possible replacement, but now the Bears will possibly have to shift focus to a younger centre-forward with potential to fill Igamane’s void.
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