Hearts plan to block Lawrence Shankland deal as Rangers priority outlined
Hearts have no plans to let club captain Lawrence Shankland leave Tynecastle this summer as Rangers shift their focus on to other striker targets.
Shankland has played a key role in Hearts’ surprise push to win their first Scottish top-flight crown since 1960 this season.
The Scotland international has netted 16 goals in 28 games across all competitions so far, and is known to be a long-time target of title rivals Rangers.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, Hearts will block any approaches for his services, regardless of what happens this season.
Rangers’ transfer plans are instead set to focus on younger players whom Danny Rohl can develop into key assets in the years to come.
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VISIT THE RANGERS TRANSFER HUBHearts will not let Lawrence Shankland leave as Rangers move on
30-year-old Shankland recently returned from a nine-week injury absence to notch a goal and an assist in Hearts’ 2-2 draw with Livingston.
He has scored regularly in the Premiership over the last four seasons, but the Jambos have no plans to let him leave and Rangers are set to look at signing a different profile of striker ahead of next term.
| Appearances | 23 |
| Goals | 12 |
| Shots on target | 30 |
| Chances created | 28 |
| Touches in opposition box | 113 |
| Possession won in final third | 25 |
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: “(Shankland) is the club captain (at Hearts) and is leading their charge to try and win the Scottish Premiership title ahead of Rangers and Celtic.
“I don’t think Hearts would entertain losing such a key player. I don’t think there’s any priority right now for Rangers to be rekindling their interest in him.”
Rangers could accept big bids for Youssef Chermiti amid PSV interest
Rangers are planning an overhaul of their striking options in the summer, which Shankland is clearly unlikely to be a part of.
Their moves could be funded by a big-name outgoing, as sources have told Football Insider that Rangers will consider big offers for Chermiti as PSV Eindhoven plot a move.
Chermiti has struggled to score consistently in his debut season at Ibrox, but has netted two braces against Celtic and a hat-trick against Hearts to demonstrate his clear ability in front of goal.
It is unclear if Danny Rohl truly fancies him as a long-term option in his side, and so he may well be sold to make way for some more versatile forwards.
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