Lawrence Shankland has been making waves in the Scottish Championship as he recently grabbed a perfect hattrick against Patrick Thistle. The striker moved to Dundee United in the summer from Ayr United, and he has been in breathtaking form, to say the least, for the promotion chasers.
Celtic And QPR keeping an eye on Shankland
Recently reports (via The Scottish Sun) emerged that Celtic watched him from close quarters as he scored a hattrick. English Championship outfit QPR are also seemingly in the mix, and they are willing to make a move for him in the summer. Rangers too had been linked with him in the past, but their recent interest in the striker has gone a bit quiet.
Former Ayr United manager Ian McCall had revealed in October last year that Rangers were close to signing him on a free transfer in the summer, but they missed out. Now, if the Gers are keen on him, then they would have to pay some kind of transfer fee to lure him.
Why might Rangers need a striker?
Rangers are not in desperate need of a striker this month as they have Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defoe at their disposal. However, Defoe isn’t going to be around for long, and Morelos could move away in the summer if a top offer comes in. Hence, it makes sense for Gerrard and Co. to keep an eye on a striker.
Shankland has managed 24 goals so far this season, and he has carried on his form from Ayr United at Dundee United. It is no surprise that Celtic and QPR are monitoring him and we believe that Rangers should also join the race to get him in the summer of 2020.
A mistake from Gerrard?
Rangers probably made a mistake by not going after him in the summer earlier. The Gers could have signed him and loaned him to a Championship club where he could have continued with his development by playing regularly. Some reports say that Shankland could cost £2m now. Hence, it seems like they missed a big chance by not signing him on a free transfer during the last summer.
Nevertheless, Rangers should try their luck in the coming summer again as Shankland seems ready to perform on the big stage. The striker can score all kind of goals, and he is also a willing runner between the channels. The Scotsman has also managed to break into Scotland’s national team even though he is yet to establish himself in the Scottish top flight. With Celtic and QPR already monitoring his situation, we believe that Shankland should be back on Rangers’ radar.
