Rangers can afford Cyriel Dessers replacement in January – Keith Wyness
Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness has insisted deals for Lawrence Shankland and Joe Gelhardt are affordable for Rangers in January.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Aberdeen between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – suggested now is the right time to replace Cyriel Dessers as the club’s first-choice striker.
Football Insider revealed on Saturday (30 November) that Rangers are among a number of clubs interested in signing Leeds forward Gelhardt in January.
He has played just 72 minutes of senior football for the Whites this term but has previously scored in the Premier League and Championship.
Meanwhile, Hearts and Scotland star Shankland is out of contract at the end of this season and has been a long-term target at Ibrox.
Dessers, 29, has started 18 games for Rangers so far this term – scoring 10 goals.
Rangers would have no problem signing Gelhardt or Shankland, says Wyness
Wyness claimed “finance won’t be an issue” if the Gers pursue deals for Gelhardt or Shankland.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “Lawrence Shankland and Joe Gelhardt, these are not the most expensive players.
“Shankland has been a journeyman in the league with success at some sides and not so much at others.
“He’s played for Scotland and hasn’t had the best of times there.
“Those two deals aren’t going to cost much to put together.
“I don’t think finance will be an issue.
“As for Dessers, we’ve been talking about Rangers not scoring enough. That’s exactly what’s happened with him, unfortunately. The time is right to go out and get someone else.
“Shankland could be a good replacement. We’ll see how that goes and I don’t think money would be the issue.”
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