Ally McCoist issues Lawrence Shankland to Rangers claim with 1st-team ace likely to leave

Rangers should be moving to sign Lawrence Shankland from Hearts this summer as failure to do so in January cost them the league title, says Ally McCoist.

The club’s record goalscorer told the Scottish Sun (21 June) that he “would take” the Scotland international if he could despite a decent goal return from Cyriel Dessers and the return from injury of Danilo.

Sam Lammers’ successful loan at FC Utretcht is not predicted to see him make a return to the Light Blues squad under Philippe Clement, and although Hamza Igamane is on his way in [Chris Jack, 20 June] McCoist wants his former side to sign Tynecastle captain Shankland.

McCoist said: “Cyriel Dessers is much maligned but you can’t argue with his goal return. Centre forwards need competition so I’m looking forward to him getting put under pressure with Danilo coming back in.

“I watched some of Sam Lammers’ goals for Utrecht and they were crackers, but I would be surprised if he came back now.

“And I think not signing Shankland might have cost the league to tell the truth. So I would take Shankland.

“Here’s a boy in Scotland who knows how to score against the big teams, against Celtic and Rangers. Shankland knows how to do that.”

Will Rangers finally bid for the Hearts captain?

For months it has seemed like the logical move for the Gers to attempt a move for the 28-year-old Jambos striker.

Shankland is a boyhood Rangers fan and has proven beyond doubt that he will produce goals in the Scottish Premiership, having netted 48 in the league over the past two seasons.

He has rejected a series of Hearts contract extensions and now has a year left on his deal in Edinburgh this summer, making him as affordable now as he is ever likely to be.

Pundits were speculating throughout last season that a move might be on the cards yet no concrete action materialised in the January window, and so it seems this summer as well.

There appeared to be a hint at Tynecastle that they were anticipating their star man leaving, but Clement and Nils Koppen seem to be looking further afield for help up front.

McCoist certainly knows about scoring goals for Rangers and his view will be echoed by many of the clubs fans, but it remains to be seen whether they will all be left disappointed when it comes to Shankland.

In other Rangers news, John Bennett has told the manager he is ready to spend on transfers this summer.

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