COULD BE DONE: Shankland might be joining Rangers given the most recent Hearts development.
Shankland might be joining Rangers given the most recent Hearts development.
After months of rumors suggesting that Lawrence Shankland may join Rangers, Hearts seem to be preparing for his potential departure. On May 31, the Jambos unveiled their new home uniform for the 2024–25 campaign on their official website; however, the captain and standout striker were absent from the promotional film.
There are several women’s and eight men’s squad members participating, but the Scotland international striker, who scored 31 goals in all competitions last season, is nowhere to be seen. Prior to the January transfer window, when nothing substantial happened despite Philippe Clement’s team losing Danilo and Abdallah Sima to long-term injuries and allowing struggling forward Sam Lammers to go on loan, the childhood Light Blues fan has been linked to a possible Ibrox switch. Given that Sima’s loan from Brighton is coming to an end and the latter is now anticipated to be sold, according to Rangers Review (29 May), Rangers will probably search the summer window for additional goal scoring support.
Additionally, there have continued to be rumors that Shankland would go to Glasgow as his Tynecastle contract enters its last year this summer, having previously refused all offers of an extension. Is Philippe Clement able to sign a new striker for Rangers? On March 22, Peter Martin of PLZ Soccer even asserted that “everyone thinks” the deal will occur in the upcoming window. On April 23, former Ibrox forward Kenny Miller told Clyde 1 Superscoreboard that the move would be “really good.”
It is obvious that the 28-year-old striker’s removal from advertising materials does not indicate that he will leave, and Rangers may not have the funds to acquire him should he decide to do so.
However, while players like as Cammy Devlin, Kenneth Vargas, Frankie Kent, and others are highlighted, the captain of the team and most prominent member is noticeably absent. Shankland’s exclusion from the Hearts website may have been due to his preparations for Steve Clarke’s Euro 2024 squad, while Craig Gordon, another Scotland international, is listed.
However, while players like as Cammy Devlin, Kenneth Vargas, Frankie Kent, and others are highlighted, the captain of the team and most prominent member is noticeably absent. Shankland’s exclusion from the Hearts website may have been due to his preparations for Steve Clarke’s Euro 2024 squad, while Craig Gordon, another Scotland international, is listed.
In an interview with BBC Sport Scotland on March 8, Shankland acknowledged that he may be tempted by possibilities abroad but reaffirmed his commitment to the Jam Tarts for the duration of the season.
The chief executive of Hearts said following the winter window that the team was unable to compel the star frontman to remain after contract extensions were refused (Scottish Sun, February 5). The most recent development at the Edinburgh team raises the possibility of an exit more than before. With a busy summer ahead of him and additional uncertainty at Ibrox following James Bisgrove’s departure, Clement will need to hope that the John Bennett-led board can raise the necessary funds to acquire Shankland while still allowing him to pursue other business.
