Sport
Before midnight on February 2, Magnificent’s ace should be a Rangers player.
Lawrence Shankland should be a Rangers player before the end of the January transfer window given his recent form, according to Charlie Mulgrew.
The 28-year-old scored his 13th goal of the Premiership season in Hearts’ 2-0 win over Aberdeen on Saturday (27 January), an excellent right-footed effort that BBC Sportscene presenter Steven Thompson labelled “magnificent”.
Shankland continues to be linked with a move to Ibrox during the January transfer window and while there has been no movement yet, Mulgrew has admitted that he has “no doubt” the Scotland international would score goals for Rangers or Celtic.
Speaking on BBC Sportscene (27 January, 13:10) he said: “I don’t think he should be, I think one of the Old Firm teams should take a punt on him. He would do a great job, I have absolutely no doubt he’d score goals.
“If he can score that amount of goals for Hearts, 20 goals already this season, 13 in the league, then he can definitely score goals for Celtic and Rangers.
“He’s somebody that shouldn’t be, but I’ve got a feeling he will be just with the ways things have been.”
Get it done
Before the January transfer window had even opened, links had begun to circulate between Shankland and Rangers as it seemed as though a January move to Ibrox would be perfect for all parties.
Philippe Clement needs a new number nine. Cyriel Dessers’ recent form has been impressive, but at the moment, the 29-year-old is the only fit and available option to lead the line with Danilo and Kemar Roofe back on the treatment table.
Shankland, as Mulgrew suggested, brings a guard of goals and in an incredibly close title race, his composure in the final third could well be the deciding factor in who lifts that trophy come the end of the season.
Rangers have left it late if they are considering an approach, however, a last-minute January move shouldn’t be out of the question. Hopefully, the Light Blues will at least table a bid in the final days to test Hearts’ resolve.
