Lawrence Shankland to Rangers transfer latest: ‘There’s no getting away from it’
Lawrence Shankland looks increasingly likely to stay at Hearts until the end of his current contract despite long-standing interest in his signature from Rangers.
Shankland has been a driving force in Hearts’ Premiership title challenge this season despite recent injury woes.
The Scotland striker has bagged 12 league goals so far after signing a new three-year extension to his contract at Tynecastle last summer.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, Rangers look to have moved on from potentially signing him anytime soon.
Rangers’ transfer plans will be dictated by the position they finish in this season, but supporters can all but rule out a move for Shankland, despite their long-term interest.
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VISIT THE RANGERS TRANSFER HUBRangers have admired Lawrence Shankland but a move is now unlikely
Hearts’ emergence as title contenders has seen Shankland become as important to the club as he has ever been since a 2022 move from Belgian side Beerschot.
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: “There’s been long-term interest from Rangers in Lawrence Shankland, there’s no getting away from that, but he signed a new contract at Hearts.
“By the start of next season, Shankland will have turned 31 years old, so he is maybe coming into the latter stages of his career.
“Maybe that opportunity to move the Rangers has passed him by in that respect, but look, he’s a proven goal scorer in the Scottish Premiership, there’s no getting away from that.
“Right now, he maybe doesn’t fit the profile for what Rangers are trying to do.”
Rangers are front-runners to sign Leeds striker Joe Gelhardt
Danny Rohl is targeting younger players to add to his squad this summer, with sources telling Football Insider that Gelhardt is on Rangers’ radar as he impresses on loan at Hull City.
The 23-year-old has registered 13 goals and five assists in 36 appearances for the Tigers this season, but is not believed to have a future at Leeds beyond the summer.
Rangers are at the front of the queue for his services, with Gelhardt known to be open to moving to Ibrox to play European football.
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