Rangers: Barry Ferguson reflects on failed Lawrence Shankland move after Ibrox arrival
Ex-Rangers interim boss Barry Ferguson has admitted that he was desperate to sign Lawrence Shankland 12 months ago.
The Bears have finally secured the signing of their long-admired target, in a move that has stunned the Scottish Premiership.
Shankland captained Hearts to a historic season, just falling short on the final day of knocking Gers and Celtic off their respective dominant positions at the top of the table over the years.
The 49ers made a statement by bringing the 30-year-old to Ibrox, as the club looks to leave Danny Rohl with no excuses next season.
Shankland has finally joined Rangers, but Ferguson may feel a bit resentful after revealing his personal transfer saga with trying to land the Scottish international.
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Barry Ferguson wanted Lawrence Shankland when nobody else did
Rangera announced the signing of Shankland last week, as the striker confirmed he left his holidays early to get back to Glasgow and leave no doubt in putting pen to paper for his boyhood club this time.
The number nine will now have a small break before linking up with Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad for the World Cup, and will hopefully come back to Auchenhowie in fine form.
| Area of game | Stats |
| Matches | 29 |
| Shots | 86 |
| xG | 11.9 |
| Goals | 16 |
Former interim boss Ferguson wanted to get the job permanently just over 12 months ago, but it was confirmed after a final day 2-2 draw to Hibernian that the club would look for a new head coach.
He has since come out since Shankland signed, revealing that he himself wanted to get the same deal done last summer when he would have been a free transfer.
Ferguson said, as quoted by the Daily Record: “I drew up a list of targets. It was my list, nobody else’s. The name of Shankland was right at the top as the priority No.1. A free transfer and an absolute no-brainer.
“It didn’t work out that way for either of us. I do wish this had happened 12 months ago. I never understood why they didn’t see what I saw in Lawrence.”
Interestingly, Ferguson suggests that Ibrox chiefs didn’t want to sign Shankland at that time, though if he is alluding to people like Kevin Thelwell, then that would clear things up.
Shankland transfer delay may be perfect timing for Rangers
Who knows what would have happened had Shankland signed for Gers all of the times that he was supposed to?
But now it’s done, and there’s no going back, with his arrival hopefully the first of many statement signings yet to come, as the timing of it could work in the Light Blues’ favour.
On paper, Gers are in the best position that they have been in years, which makes the arrival of the experience tallisman all the more exciting.
Rohl has options, with Shankland proposing a chance to deploy a two-striker formation with either Youssef Chermiti or Ryan Naderi.
Bojan Miovski is the clear casualty at this stage, and his exit is likely.
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