While Rangers can look forward to an exciting final month of the transfer window, September cannot come around quickly enough for some of Philippe Clement’s fellow managers.
Speculation is continuing regarding the future of captain James Tavernier. But, apart from that, Rangers fans can sleep easy knowing that the big stories at Ibrox are likely to focus on incomings rather than outgoings over the next few weeks.
Supporters of Heart of Midlothian, in contrast, are not exactly in a position of similar comfort.
Lawrence Shankland continues to dominate the back pages north of the border. That, of course, is to be expected with only one year left on the contract of the man who ended last term not only as the Scottish Premiership’s Golden Boot winner but also the division’s Player of the Year.
The Daily Record reported on Monday that Rangers – who’s interest has been talked up by ex-skipper Barry Ferguson – are continuing to discuss the idea of bringing Shankland to Ibrox.
Manager Philippe Clement previously expressed doubts over the 28-year-old’s ability to press from the front.
But, after Rangers were made to pay for their lack of ruthlessness during a number of damaging results in the season’s latter stages, Clement has reportedly ‘warmed’ to the idea of bringing in a man who finished eight clear of Cyriel Dessers in the goalscoring charts.
Rangers keen on Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland
While Rangers debate Shankland internally, however, Hearts are yet to be contacted themselves.
That, at least, is what Tynecastle boss Steven Naismith told Sky Sports, those Shankland rumours a very unwelcome distraction ahead of Saturday’s Premiership curtain-raiser between Hearts and Rangers in Edinburgh.
“There’s no change,” Naismith tells Sky Sports. “There’s been all these reports coming out going down every avenue (saying); ‘He’s leaving’, ‘he’s maybe leaving’, ‘he’s on a list’, ‘he’s not on a list’.
“But we’ve had no conversations about any of our players.
“We had conversations about Alex Cochrane that developed into something that was serious and the deal got done (with Birmingham City) because everybody was satisfied with it.
“But we have had no information, no contact with anybody about any other player at the club.”
Shankland, the Record adds, may be available for around £3 million due to his contract situation.
Rangers have also been heavily linked with Rapid Bucharest hitman Albion Rrahmani though those rumours have gone cold of late. Tommy Conway of Bristol City is another name to keep an eye on, with Middlesbrough starting the bidding at £5 million this week.
Former Gers attacker Naismith, meanwhile, is hoping to make at least one more signing before Rangers make the trip from Glasgow to Edinburgh in a few days’ time.
Hearts face Rangers in Premiership opener
A host of new faces have already arrived at Hearts, including ex-Livingston left-back and one-time Gers target James Penrice.
“We’re happy we got those players in early. It makes a difference because the longer the players are here, the more settled they become. We learned that from last pre-season,” adds Naismith, who won three successive Premiership titles at Ibrox over a decade ago.
“We’ll hopefully have one more in today that will improve us and then, after that, it’s more about reacting to anything that happens. There has been a lot of work over the last two or three days to get the deal over the line.
“It will hopefully get done in time that we can have him available for the weekend.”
