Hugh Keevins has stirred the football world with his recent analysis on Lawrence Shankland, the Hearts ace, amid speculations of his potential move to Rangers. Published on 28 July in the Daily Record, Keevins raises concerns about how the transfer talk might affect Shankland’s performance and how Hearts’ fans might perceive him if he fails to replicate last season’s form.
Keevins argues that although Shankland is undeniably a “model-pro,” the ongoing speculation surrounding his future could impact his on-field performance. He suggests that Hearts fans might label Shankland as having a “weak mentality” if he doesn’t play as well as he did last season, putting immense pressure on the player.
“Lawrence Shankland may undoubtedly be a model pro – but he is a human being at the same time. And all of the speculation linking him with a move to Rangers must be unable to be put to the back of his mind,” Keevins wrote. He further explained the dilemma Shankland faces: if he scores against Rangers and Hearts lose, he will be criticized by the very supporters of the club he might join. Conversely, if he fails to score and Hearts lose, he could be accused of failing his current team by showing a weak mentality.
Additionally, Keevins pointed out that Hearts cannot afford to lose their star player, emphasizing the club’s need to keep Shankland, irrespective of the transfer speculations. “Meantime, Hearts could not possibly countenance a move to Ibrox for the player. So Shankland, whatever else happens in the fullness of time, won’t be on the Ibrox list of players submitted to UEFA,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Rangers and their manager Philippe Clement are facing a summer of significant changes, with a major rebuild on the horizon. The team has already seen several player exits and arrivals. One critical area requiring attention is the striker position. The recent confirmation of Sam Lammers’ exit, as he joins FC Twente, has left a void. The potential departure of Cyriel Dessers to fund further acquisitions complicates matters further for Rangers.
Given these circumstances, Shankland has frequently been mentioned as a potential target for Rangers. However, with a steep price tag of £3 million and a contract running until June 2025, it might be prudent for Rangers to explore other options for their new number nine, at least for this season. David Edgar’s analysis on 28 July also supports this view, urging Rangers to consider alternative targets.
In conclusion, while the speculation surrounding Lawrence Shankland’s future adds pressure on both the player and Hearts, Rangers must strategize wisely amid their ongoing rebuild. For more details on this evolving situation, check out the full article on Daily Record.
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