If an exclusive update from SunSport is believed to be true, Rangers have made a shock move for Lawrence Shankland and are targeting a deal for the Hearts hitman within the next 48 hours. They failed to land the Scotsman on multiple occasions, including last summer when he was available on a Bosman. But they now want him at Ibrox before he jets to the World Cup with the Tartan Army.
The 30-year-old boyhood Rangers fan began his career with Queen’s Park, as he featured for their senior side in the third tier of Scottish football. Aberdeen snapped him up in the summer of 2013 on a Bosman, but loaned him out to then-League One outfit Dunfermline Athletic for first-team engagement. The Dons retained him for next season following a productive stint with the Pars; however, the lack of top-flight minutes led to successive loans in the second division with St Mirren and Greenock Morton.
Rise In Scottish Football
Although he was a free agent for a couple of months after being released by Aberdeen in 2017, an initial short-term contract with Ayr United changed his career trajectory. Shankland hit the ground running immediately while spearheading their attack, thus earning them a promotion in the Scottish Championship. He maintained his free-scoring form next season, but eventually joined Dundee United after 63 goals in 74 appearances for The Honest Men.
Shankland’s stellar form brought the Tangerines into the Premiership. While his scoring streak dipped in the top tier, the Belgian Pro League club Beerschot splashed out €1.18m to secure his services in August 2021. But he struggled to find his rhythm high up the pitch, leading to his €470k transfer to Hearts next summer.
The prolific ‘number 9’ has since been sensational, particularly the first two seasons at Tynecastle. Shankland had a below-par 2024-25 campaign, scoring only 8 league goals, but revived his form this term, netting 20 times in 33 outings across competitions. Hearts endured heartbreak in the Premiership race on the final day, but his stellar run has been rewarded with a spot in Steve Clarke’s World Cup squad.
Why Shankland’s Arrival Would Strengthen Rangers
Rangers replaced Hamza Igamane and Cyriel Dessers last summer with Youssef Chermiti and Bojan Miovski. Danny Rohl used his contacts and connections in Germany to wrap up a deal for Ryan Naderi. Yet they often lacked efficiency up top, with Chermiti being inconsistent and Miovski struggling to fit into Rohl’s style of play. Naderi, who needs time to attune to the physicality and aggression of Scottish football, has mostly been deployed as a second striker or an advanced playmaker.
Meanwhile, the growing interest in Chermiti might force them to part ways with their Portuguese centre-forward. Miovski is only good enough as a squad option, and Shankland’s poaching traits would arguably bolster their frontline, regardless of Chermiti’s future. The veteran Scot won’t be a long-term solution, but his instinct and intelligence in and around the box should see Rangers redeem the lost pride by conquering the coveted league crown.
