Lawrence Shankland is reportedly back on Rangers’ radar this transfer window.
The Hearts captain, 28, has been routinely linked with a move to Ibrox throughout his career and the latest in the Daily Record suggests Rangers have an eye on Shankland this summer.
The story goes that Philippe Clement has performed a ‘u-turn’ after resisting an approach for Lawrence Shankland in January.
Rangers fans would certainly be pacified with a move for the 31-goal Jambos talisman as criticism continues to be levelled towards the club’s misfiring frontline.
But what has Philippe Clement previously said about Lawrence Shankland and potential Rangers interest?
Clement dodges Shankland questions
Rangers manager Philippe Clement has always been coy about potential Ibrox interest in Lawrence Shankland.
But as the potent striker hit top form last season, images of the Belgian speaking to the Scotland international during a clash at Tynecastle in December caused a stir online.
Speaking after the match – which Rangers won 1-0 courtesy of an Abdallah Sima goal – Clement insisted there was ‘nothing really special’ about the interaction.
“Clearly I must watch out really hard what I am doing,” said Clement, as quoted by the Rangers Review. “But I greeted all the players of Hearts along the way – nothing really special there.”
The Rangers manager was also asked about Lawrence Shankland ahead of that thumping 5-0 win over the Jambos at Ibrox in February.
In his usual style, the Ibrox boss gave nothing away and shifted the focus back on to the team and away from the individual.
“It’s not only to be focused on him and to forget the rest, because then there will be other guys who will make the difference,” said Clement, as quoted by BBC Sport. “We never go into games thinking about one player.
“I played with my team last year against Messi, Neymar and Mbappe in the same game but we were not focused on them.
“We were focused on our way, how we need to play and how we need to stop them but using them also to attack and that worked in a good way. It’s always my philosophy to be more focused on ourselves.”
Rangers fans demanding striker investment
The strongest links to Shankland came heading into a January where Rangers fans were demanding greater investment into the forward line.
Rangers instead moved for Wolves loanee Fabio Silva – who quite literally flopped – whilst Colombian winger Oscar Cortes was struck down by the Ibrox injury curse before he even got the chance to really make an impression.
That the club’s stuttering striker options fell short at the final hurdle last season only served to compound the frustration of the support.
Clement and the Rangers Board would do well to heed such warnings heading into next season.
This summer has to be different and – despite Alex Rae waxing lyrical about ‘how good’ crocked Brazilian forward Danilo is over the weekend – investment is expected into the frontline this summer.
Lawrence Shankland knows the league, is proven at Premiership level and has taken responsibility for scoring all manner of goals wherever he has played.
Being a Rangers fan is just a bonus too, and we find it hard to believe the striker won’t at least be the subject of discussions in the Ibrox recruitment boardroom.
