Lawrence Shankland scored and the jubilant fans belted out: “We’ve got Lawrence Shankland.” Not any more. He’s officially a Rangers player after signing a two-year deal with an option of a further 12 months.
The move ends months of speculation and the 30-year-old is delighted to be joining his “boyhood club”. He told Rangers TV: “It has always been a dream to play here so I was really keen to get it done.”
Shankland (pictured by Ian Jacobs) now joins the Scotland squad ahead of the World Cup but he considers that the Ibrox side are determined to be a force domestically and in Europe and he added: “I want to be a big part of that.”
The forward, who scored 16 league goals for the Men in Maroon last season, one behind the leading marksman, Motherwell, Tawande Maswanhise, and level with Benjamin Nygren (Celtic), admitted that the deal felt like “a long time coming”.
The Glasgow-born player said it is “never easy” to leave another big club (Hearts) but added: “It was a bit easier the fact that it’s obviously Rangers.”
There is no doubt that Hearts resurrected Shankland’s career after a disappointing spell in Belgium with Beerschot and the former Queen’s Park, Aberdeen, Ayr United and Dundee United player was key as Hearts came so close to winning their first league title in 66 years.
Yes, the Jambos are in the Champions League qualifiers, and Shankland will miss out on that, but signing for the Glasgow club is obviously a massive move for the player, and a major move for Rangers’ head coach, Danny Rohl, who made the Scot his first summer signing.
Of course, Rangers’ regular penalty taker, James Tavernier, has departed and Shankland could fill the void. He is also being tipped as club skipper.
Rohl believes Shankland is a player of proven quality, leadership and work ethic, and a man who understands the demands of playing for the Ibrox club.
However, back in Gorgie, Shankland’s departure is a bitter blow for the Tynecastle faithful, particularly after their final day defeat by Celtic at Parkhead, when came within minutes of taking the title.
Stories circulating in the media suggest that midfielder Cammy Devlin could also be on his way out along with Frankie Kent and Derek McInnes, Hearts’ head coach, and the recruitment team, could have a busy summer ahead of them.
Time is short as the Champions League qualifiers are in July and the bar has been raised by businessman, Tony Bloom’s, investment and last season’s runners-up spot in the league.
