Lawrence Shankland questioned over Hearts contract amid Rangers interest

Matthew Lindsay has questioned whether Lawrence Shankland rejected an extension to his Hearts contract in the summer due to Rangers’ reported interest in acquiring his services.

The Scotsman bagged 31 goals across all competitions last season, which put his name on the Gers’ radar for the vast majority of the window.

Writing for The Herald via their online edition (29 November), journalist Lindsay shared his thoughts on the situation surrounding the 29-year-old’s future, having last week announced he is set to leave Tynecastle in 2025.

“The extension which he was offered last season was taken off the table after the two parties failed to reach an agreement,” he wrote.

“But that was at a time when rumours about Rangers wanting to sign the man who was the most lethal predator in the land were rife. Was he hankering after a move to Govan? The Glaswegian is a lifelong supporter so there is every chance.”

Rangers wouldn’t be able to rely upon Lawrence Shankland to better their performance

Last season’s version of Shankland would have undoubtedly been an absolute saviour for Philippe Clement this season. However, the Belgian has had to stick with Cyriel Dessers leading his attacking line for most games.

Indeed, Hamza Igamane was brought in to be the team’s starting striker in their game against Nice on 28 November and, somewhat surprisingly, he managed to net twice in the clash.

One of the key problem areas within the Gers’ team this season has been their number nine.

Dessers’ lack of consistency and the fact that Danilo and Igamane have had their own problems to deal with has meant that Clement’s team have been severely lacking in the final third.

Shankland’s contract is set to expire at the end of the 2024/25 season and while he’d likely only cost the Ibrox outfit pennies, with the one goal he’s scored across all competitions this season, it feels like he’d be another waste of a wage.