Rangers might need to add another striker in this transfer window and there is a reason why Lawrence Shankland continues to be linked.
The Hearts captain has backed up an impressive debut season in Gorgie with one that might even surpass his exploits of the last campaign.
All this does though, is re-affirm why they shouldn’t sell to Rangers and why, even if it means losing Lawrence Shankland on a free transfer in 18-month’s time, that it is a gamble they should take.
Rangers fighting losing battle to sign Lawrence Shankland
In a season and a half, the 28-year old has 53 goal contributions in 75 games, incredible numbers for a player outside of the Old Firm and easy to see why Gers boss Philippe Clement is linked with a move.
But this hasn’t been a fluke.
At every level he has played at, he has contributed.
Even at poor teams fighting relegation or being played out of position he has managed a goal or assist almost every two games.
Shankland’s numbers at Beerschot in Belgium and Dundee Utd in the Premiership don’t paint the full story.
With a good level of experience now, Lawrence Shankland is clearly at the peak of his powers and, injury free, could easily maintain this for the next two to three seasons which is why Rangers shouldn’t worry too much about a £3m plus transfer fee.
The reason why the Ibrox outfit should be interested is the reason why Hearts shouldn’t sell.
Money.
A player is only worth what one club values them at and what another is willing to pay.
To Hearts, Shankland could be worth £8m over the next two seasons – and that’s not including potential SPFL prize money, include that and it gets closer to the £10m mark.
Currently sitting third in the league, it is pretty clear that without their talisman, Hearts would be drawn into the mid-table scrap for the top six.
As shown by Aberdeen this season, securing group stage football in the Europa Conference League can bring in upwards of £4m.
Hearts could sell Lawrence Shankland to Rangers for £5m and still be out of pocket and with no guarantee that who they buy could replicate the form he has shown in front of goal.
Gambling on Shankland leaving for nothing could work in their favour in another way too.
At 30-years old, approaching 31, there won’t be as many clubs that would offer a long-term deal but you can almost guarantee that Hearts would.
He would almost certainly be their top earner and has the chance to cement his place as a club great.
Usually, it is the players that hold all the cards but, in this instance, a unique set of circumstances sees Hearts laughing all the way to the bank, one way, or another.
