Rangers will need to provide Philippe Clement with more firepower heading into next season with a lack of goals and creativity in the forward line a major issue this season.
Reports have suggested that Fabio Silva isn’t being considered for a return to Ibrox, Kemar Roofe will be allowed to leave at the end of his contract and Abdallah Sima will return to Brighton with no guarantees of a permanent deal despite being in pole position.
For several windows, Rangers have been linked with Lawrence Shankland and the Hearts skipper has revealed his plans for the summer and his thoughts on interest from his boyhood club.
Rangers given Lawrence Shankland transfer opportunity
Shankland is approaching the last year of his contract at Tynecastle and a decision will soon have to be made by both the club and the player.
In January, the links to Rangers went right up until the last day of the window with even Fabrizio Romano getting involved in the speculation.
A fee said to be over £3m was what Hearts were claiming for, however, it is likely that it would have taken even more than this given Shakland’s important to the team.
Speaking on his announcement as a nominee for the PFA Player of the Year, Lawrence Shankland explained what the latest was with his contract and any his thoughts potential move to Rangers:
“We had a conversation and all decided we would re-assess it in the summer,”
“Conversations will probably be had in the summer,” Shankland added.
“I am going into the last year of my contract at Hearts and there’s always speculation kicking around at those times.
“So there will come a time when conversations will need to be had, but for now everything’s still running smoothly.”
“It’s just noise,” Shankland said when asked specifically about the reported interest from Rangers.
“I just solely focused on my football. Speculation is a sign you’re doing well at your club.”
With over 50 goals scored in his last two seasons, Shankland has been largely responsible for Hearts securing guaranteed European group stage football.
An estimated £10m to the club.
Shankland is worth more than £3m to Hearts when he can play a major role in this every season.
Whether they want to reward him with the type of contract that matches his importance is another story.
With Cyriel Dessers improving his all round game and contributing to goals and assists, there wouldn’t be any worries if he was still at Ibrox after the summer.
Clement has also rarely been able to call on Danilo and the Gers boss will love to see him back in his squad.
What the manager needs though, is a different type of striker.
Shankland has shown that he can score goals but, at Hearts, he has also shown that he has become a more rounded footballer.
Goals against Celtic, Rangers, Hibernian and Aberdeen also shows that he can do it when it matters most too.
The price tag should have dropped a few pounds and, with Rangers shortage of Scottish players, Lawrence Shankland is a player who has become a must have.
