Report: Rangers now eyeing January swoop to sign “incredible” star for Clement.
Reports indicate that Rangers are in ‘pole position’ to sign Scotland and Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland during the January transfer window, giving them an advantage in their pursuit of the player.
Shankland had been on fire for Hearts in the two seasons before the current one, scoring 24 goals in 37 games for the Jambos. However, having only scored one goal in 14 games this season has coincided with Hearts’ decline in the Scottish Premiership table, with their nine-point total only exacerbated by local rivals Hibs on eight. It has been a terrible season for both clubs in the capital city. As a result, he might depart, and the Rangers might try to sign him next month.
According to Football Insider, Rangers are in a “pole position” to sign Shankland during the January transfer window. Earlier in the week, there were rumors that the Tynecastle star wanted to leave the team after two seasons of impressive play.
| Rangers’ Scottish Premiership statistics – Divisional squad ranking | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stats | Output | Squad rank |
| Wins | 7 | 3rd |
| Goals scored | 17 | =6th |
| Goals conceded | 9 | 2nd |
| Shots taken per game | 17 | 2nd |
| Shots against per game | 10.2 | 2nd |
| xG | 24.78 | 2nd |
Hearts has been hoping to retain Shankland, who has been called “incredible,” for the long haul, but his contract expires at the end of the current campaign, and once the January transfer window opens, the striker will be able to agree to pre-contract terms with any team outside of Scotland.
Rangers manager Philippe Clement was anticipated to be first in line to sign him on a free transfer in the summer, but Hearts might try to finalize a deal in the winter transfer window in order to bring in a long-term successor, given the money on the table in January.
With Rangers in dire need of new players after dropping 11 points behind local rivals Celtic in the Premiership, a January deal is viewed as a “win-win” scenario for both teams. Hearts would also receive some money to spend. However, Rangers should be prepared to finalize an agreement next summer if one cannot be reached in January.
Without a doubt, Shankland would greatly increase Rangers’ attacking options with the correct service. The Light Blues are currently tied for sixth place in the division in terms of scoring, so they need to do more if they want to finish second in the top flight, where Aberdeen is currently eight points ahead of them.
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