According to a recent YouTube Podcast by Open Goal, recently departed Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday has urged his former club to make a move for Dundee United striker Lawrence Shankland during the upcoming summer transfer window. The versatile midfielder was released by the Gers a couple of months ago after the Premiership campaign was suspended and Celtic were handed the league title. Halliday though is said to believe that Shankland has what it takes to make the step up to the Ibrox and succeed at this level as well.
While Halliday has urged Rangers to sign Lawrence Shankland, the final decision will fall onto the shoulders of Gers’ gaffer Steven Gerrard, who has been keeping his eyes open in the transfer market too. Speaking to Si Ferry on Open Goal, Halliday said, “I would (take him at Rangers). He’s done it wherever he’s been and he looks like the type of boy that, if he gets chances, he’s going to score. If you’re at a bigger club you’re going to get more chances. He’s just got the knack for scoring goals and that’s something that’s hard to find. There’s hundreds of strikers that don’t even have that”.
What Is The Gers’ Current Situation In Attack?
The Ibrox club started the last Premiership season with a large number of expectations already in place, and it perhaps didn’t come as too much of a surprise when they seemed to altogether drop off the pace being set by Celtic in the second part of the campaign.
Although there are various on-field aspects which have been responsible for their downfall, one of the most significant elements that can be pinpointed to has been the blip in form displayed by Colombian striker Alfredo Morelos. The former Helsinki man wasn’t anywhere near his usual level in the second part of the season, and it cost them dearly.
Although the presence of names like Jermain Defoe and Ianis Hagi did soften the blow to a certain extent, it just wasn’t up to the required level from the Gers anymore. Next season as well, going into the year with the same striking options as they did last time out, would be the perfect recipe for disaster. The addition of a top goalscorer is a necessity at the Ibrox this summer, especially considering the rising age of Defoe and the lack of clarity surrounding Morelos’ place in the roster.
What Makes Lawrence Shankland An Attractive Option For Rangers?
The Scottish striker was nothing short of a sensation in the Championship last season as he bossed the division right from the opening week. Not only did he carry United to the summit of the league table, but he also finished the season as the top scorer in the competition. A deadly finisher in and around the final third, Shankland offers a much more physical presence upfront when compared to Morelos and Defoe, and his 24 goals and two assists from 26 league outings will be a major selling point as well. The departure of winter loan signing Florian Kamberi is sure to have left a hole in the Rangers team, and Shankland would have to be considered the ideal replacement.
Halliday Has Urged Rangers To Sign Lawrence Shankland: Smart Move For Gerrard?
The Ibrox club have been a couple of steps off the pace being set by Celtic for quite a while now, and it’s gradually becoming clear that the exploits of Morelos and Defoe aren’t going to be enough to tip the scales. The acquisition of a proven goalscorer who would not only put the ball in the back of the net given the opportunity but also offer something different to what they currently possess is slowly becoming a necessity. Halliday was a loyal servant of this club for the longest time, and when a player of that stature recommends a striker to his former team, you can bet your bottom pound that the attacker in question has something special about him.
