The future of Hearts talisman and Scotland striker Lawrence Shankland is a hot topic of debate amongst Rangers supporters.
Last season’s Player of the Year in Scotland, there are plenty who believe that failing to plunge for the hitman in January cost Rangers a Scottish Premiership title.
But with Hearts demanding somewhere in the region of £5m, others believe the form of Lawrence Shankland this season justifies Rangers’ apprehension.
In the final year of his contract at Hearts, Shankland has netted one goal in 18 games this season in an extraordinary fall from grace for the 29-year-old.
Now, the Rangers-linked striker has left the strongest hint yet that he’s set to leave Hearts with Lawrence Shankland free to speak to other clubs in January.
Lawrence Shankland hints at Hearts exit
“Right now, at this moment in time, my contract will be finishing. I won’t have one at Hearts, so that indicates that you move on,” Shankland said, as quoted by the Edinburgh Evening News.
“That’s the situation where we’re at with the club. That’s where we left it. There is no contract on the table.
“That was an agreement we were happy to leave at that point. Both of us accepted it and moved on. That’s where it’s been since then.
“Regarding the contract, there’s not been any contact [since]. I think right now, as it stands, both the club and myself are comfortable where we’re at.
“In terms of talks, we’ll move forward and see how the next couple of months go. But more importantly than that, obviously everybody’s been concentrating on trying to improve things on the pitch. Once that’s done, I imagine we can worry about things off it.
“Playing on the big nights, that’s why you come to a club like Hearts. That’s why you play in all these big games, including Saturday night (v Celtic).
“Occasions like that at Tynecastle are always the most enjoyable ones. Getting the chance to lead the boys out to these games is obviously great.
“You never say never in football. Right now, the situation, if you’re asking me, that’s where it’s at.”
Rangers-linked striker ‘comfortable’ with baron spell
Rangers fans may well have their ears pricked by these comments with the club’s toils in the number nine position well-documented.
Nigerian international Cyriel Dessers blows too hot and cold for many supporters, whilst Brazilian striker Danilo has been plagued with injuries.
Moroccan hitman Hamza Igamane clearly has talent but is very raw and won’t be expected to bear the number nine burden at Ibrox for a little while yet.
It’s opened up the possibility of Rangers moving for Lawrence Shankland, with Nils Koppen admitting the Gers are keeping a closer eye on the Scottish market.
But at the striker’s age, where Shankland would have little resale value, and given the Hearts forward’s form this season, doubts surround any genuine interest from Ibrox.
It’s safe to assume that any Rangers interest in Shankland, who on a free transfer is still an attractive proposition at Ibrox, could depend on the hitman rediscovering his scoring touch.
Lawrence Shankland has been speaking about his form and reckons it’s only a matter of time before he gets the ball rolling again.
“It always usually just comes down to one kick of the ball going in the net,” said Shankland. “It seems to change things for strikers.
“I don’t know why, but I think there’s evidence of it everywhere.
“In every league, you’ll find when a striker’s going on a run, it’s just getting that first goal again. That’s where I’m at. I’m comfortable with it, as weird as it is.
“I’ve experienced it before. I’ve came through it, and it’s something I’m comfortable with. Obviously, I don’t enjoy it. I don’t like not scoring goals but it’s the situation I’m in. You need to just accept that and move forward. Every new game is a chance to start that.
“I had two really successful seasons where I scored an awful lot of goals. Maybe more than I should have last season. I don’t mean that in a bad way, but it’s true. When you look at the data, it backs it up.
“It’s something that’s happening. I’m in the moment now. I can’t really do anything about the games that have passed. As the weeks come, I’ll just look to the next game. Hopefully, that can start a run for us.”
