Rangers: Michael Stewart expresses admiration for ‘remarkable’ Lawrence Shankland amid ongoing speculation at Ibrox.
The Gers were frequently linked with the Scotland international in January, but Hearts have since confirmed that no offers were made. It remains unclear why Rangers did not pursue Shankland, but they will have another opportunity in four months when the transfer window reopens.
At that time, assuming the current situation remains unchanged, the prolific striker will have one year left on his contract and is likely to be available for a reduced fee.
Shankland once again showcased his skills in Hearts’ 1-0 victory over St Johnstone on Wednesday (7 February), scoring the lone goal of the match. The 28-year-old expertly controlled a well-placed pass, maneuvered past defenders, and found the back of the net.
As noted by Michael Stewart on BBC Sportscene [8 February, 44m 37s], Shankland is currently in exceptional form. Stewart emphasized the difficulty of the goal and praised Shankland’s control and finishing ability, describing his recent performances as “sensational.”
Shankland has now scored 11 goals in his last 10 matches and 23 in total across all competitions for both club and country. While Cyriel Dessers has shown improvement, he still has a long way to go to match Shankland’s level.
Considering Shankland’s impressive form, it appears to be a straightforward decision for Rangers to pursue him in the upcoming summer transfer window.