Tony Bloom set to sign ‘eye-opening’ Hearts replacement for Lawrence Shankland: ‘I’m hearing…’
Hearts have been left with an “interesting” opportunity after allowing striker Lawrence Shankland to move to Rangers this week.
That is according to former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the 30-year-old only has “one good season” left in him at Scottish Premiership level.
The frontman has moved to Ibrox after spending the last four years at Tynecastle, a spell which saw him surpass the 20-goal mark in all competitions in three of those campaigns.
Shankland struck 16 league goals this term as the Jambos came within touching distance of their first league title since 1960, but he will now play in Rangers’ colours after they exploited a clause in his contract to sign him on a free transfer.
Rangers’ transfer plans are set to see them try to close the gap to Celtic once again, and the addition of a proven goalscorer is a major acquisition for Danny Rohl and Co. so early in the summer.
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VISIT THE RANGERS TRANSFER HUBKeith Wyness: Lawrence Shankland exit could be positive for Hearts
Aberdeen’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Pittodrie between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa, and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Shankland’s exit could become a positive development for Hearts.
The Gorgie outfit are run by Brighton supremo Tony Bloom, who has a reputation for finding bargains in the market with his Jamestown Analytics company.
| Stats | Shankland Totals |
| Apps (Starts) | 29 (28) |
| Goals | 16 |
| xG | 11.3 |
| Shots on Target per 90 | 1.33 |
| Big Chances Missed per 90 | 0.4 |
| Conversion Rate | 18.6% |
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness suggested that Hearts have some exciting replacements lined up, while adding that he expects Shankland to be successful at Rangers.
“It’s a big blow for Hearts because Shankland’s been a key player, but I’m hearing the replacements they’re looking at could be eye-opening and interesting thanks to Bloom and his Jamestown analytics,” he said.
“Shankland is getting on in terms of age, but I think he can do well at Rangers. He’s probably got one good season. He’s a great goalscorer in the box, he’s a natural, and I wish him the best at Rangers.
“But for Hearts, I think they go with renewed confidence that they’re no longer a one-player team. They feel they can put together replacements and have succession plans in place, which is what Brighton have done for many years.
“I think it’s actually smart for Hearts to cash in on Shankland to a degree, even though it’s a free transfer, the wages will go to somebody new coming in, and I think they’ve got to have faith now on Jamestown and their selection of potential new candidates going forward.”
Rangers backed to explore Eastern European market
Wyness told Football Insider earlier this week that Rangers should look to the Eastern European market more, as he feels that they have lost ground on Celtic with their transfer business in recent years.
The Scottish businessman suggested that the Gers have underutilised that area of the transfer market, and feels that they have missed out on some potential gems for cheap fees.
He added that Celtic have been far better at plucking young and hungry talent from obscure European leagues, before developing them and selling them on for profit later down the line.
Rohl is keen to make his squad younger ahead of next season, and Wyness is adamant that he and the recruitment team should be looking down unfamiliar paths for some of their targets.
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