Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland has returned to training after a mystery illness kept the reported Rangers target out of the weekend’s matches.
Scotland international Shankland, 28, missed the Jambos’ weekend win over Spartans due to the issue which had prevented the 18-goal hitman from training last week.
Hearts boss Steven Naismith insisted the issue was related to the Hearts striker’s health as Rangers transfer rumours began to take hold.
The fact Shankland never played against Spartans ensures that the striker isn’t cup-tied should a move to Ibrox materialise later this month.
Lawrence Shankland returns to Hearts training
However, Lawrence Shankland is reportedly back in Hearts training this week and is in line to return to the squad for the club’s Scottish Premiership clash with Dundee.
The Tynecastle club have a game in hand to play in Edinburgh and will be hoping to go one step closer to securing third place in Scottish football with victory.
Lawrence Shankland has 13 goals on Premiership duties this season and has without a doubt has a crucial role to play in the Edinburgh club’s domestic campaign this season.
In fact, there has been a suggestion that if Lawrence Shankland’s prospective exit to Rangers was to backfire on the Jambos this season, it could cost them around £8m.
Rangers striker transfer hunt continues
Rangers meanwhile continue to be strongly linked with a move for Lawrence Shankland as Philippe Clement looks to strengthen his frontline.
The striker berth is an area of sizeable concern as a rumbling injury crisis continues to disrupt the Belgian’s squad this season.
Rangers currently only have Belgian hitman Cyriel Dessers as a first-team striker option, with forward paid Danilo and Kemar Roofe out until much later in the season.
Brighton loanee Abdallah Sima – who has 15 goals this season – has also been sent home early from AFCON due to a hip issue.
Fabio Silva, who has joined on loan from Wolves, can also play in the position.
It all points to transfer investment in the position at Ibrox but as things stand, Lawrence Shankland is very much a Hearts player.
