Hearts manager Steven Naismith has been sharing his experiences of a deadline day switch to Rangers amid those links to Lawrence Shankland.
The Gers have been routinely mentioned alongside the 28-year-old bluenose striker, who has scored 18 goals for Hearts this season.
Undoubtedly one of the Scottish Premiership’s strongest striking options, Rangers are on the hunt for number 9 reinforcements this January.
Whilst not a peep has been escaping the Ibrox camp, as the transfer window sneaks towards its conclusion the Lawrence Shankland nerves are jangling.
But as Steven Naismith has explained to the Hearts talisman, the best thing the striker can do is just focus on his football.
Steven Naismith offers Lawrence Shankland advice
After claiming that he has tried to “pass on my experience” when quizzed about Lawrence Shankland, Steven Naismith has been discussing his own switch to Rangers.
The forward sealed a last-minute £2m deadline day move from Kilmarnock in 2007 with the Ibrox side famously registering the transfer at 11:59pm.
This was after Naismith had submitted, and then withdrawn, a transfer request at Rugby Park.
Leaving the club in disgrace during the Gers’ financial implosion, it has somewhat sullied the three-time Premiership winner’s reputation amongst fans after a five year stint in Glasgow.
But passing on that wisdom to Lawrence Shankland, Steven Naismith reveals what the switch to Rangers taught him.
“That you can’t control anything,” said Naismith when asked what lessons he’d learned from his own experience. “All you can control is what you do on the pitch.
“That’s exactly the biggest lesson that I’ve learned from it. As I say to everybody, what will be will be.
“If something is to happen, it’ll happen, and if it doesn’t, continue on.
“There’s loads of stuff to be fortunate about and also to drive towards, none other than the Euros.”
Rangers remain in striker transfer hunt
Steven Naismith appeared very relaxed on the Hearts talisman’s future as Lawrence Shankland continues to be linked with Rangers.
The striker was not in the matchday squad for the Jambos’ weekend Scottish Cup win over Spartans.
Now back in the Hearts squad for the Premiership clash with Dundee, the fact that the absence prevented Lawrence Shankland from being cup-tied has certainly had Gers fans talking.
Rangers continue to be on the the hunt for a new striker with Danilo and Kemar Roofe both facing extended injury lay-offs.
Reports have suggested that it will take north of £3m to convince Hearts to sell Shankland in this window.
We’ll have to wait and see if Rangers go into another Steven Naismith type situation and any interest in Lawrence Shankland goes right to the wire.
