Lawrence Shankland on collision course with Nicolas Raskin as Rangers transfer nears
Lawrence Shankland could be on a collision course with Nicolas Raskin over who leads Rangers as the forward closes in on a transfer to Ibrox.
The latest reports suggest Shankland will undergo a medical over the next 24 hours or so and will then be announced as Rangers’ first summer signing.
Shankland is coming off the back of a Scottish Premiership campaign in which he scored 16 goals and assisted three in 29 appearances.
Those goal involvements played a massive part in Hearts coming within one game of ending the Old Firm title dominance.
He has experience of captaining Hearts and has been tipped to do likewise for Rangers once the deal is done, but others may have something to say about that.
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Nicolas Raskin seems most natural next Rangers captain
James Tavernier’s exit from Rangers leaves the captain’s armband up for grabs ahead of next season.
John Souttar is technically vice-captain, but Raskin – assuming he stays – seems the most natural fit to take it on.
| Lawrence Shankland | Fact file |
| Date of birth | 10 August, 1995 |
| Place of birth | Glasgow |
| Height | 6’1″/1.85m |
| Began career with | Queen’s Park |
| Goals scored for Hearts | 88 |
Barry Ferguson has long tipped Raskin as a Rangers captain in the making and many supporters would agree with that.
However, fellow former Gers player Colin Hendry has tipped Shankland to take on the leadership duties once he arrives.
Handing the armband to a newbie would be a brave call from Danny Rohl, especially when he has contenders already standing by.
Rohl still has a month or so to deliberate as to who will become captain, and Shankland will very much be in the frame.
But as a central midfielder who has been around for a few years now, Raskin does seem the better fit for now.
Shankland signing comes with added bonuses
First and foremost, Rangers are signing a player who can score, assist and create in equal measure.
Beyond that, Shankland is also Scottish – the type of deal fans have been crying out for for a long, long time.
He is also a leader, as mentioned, and that is going to be incredibly important going forward.
Even if he does not have the armband, Shankland – hailed as “outstanding” by Scotland colleague John McGinn – will still be one of the figures you know will speak up when the going is tough.
In many ways, it is as close to an ideal transfer as you are ever likely to get.
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