Pundit backs Celtic to exit transfer race for attacker Rangers want to sign

Celtic will “forget” about beating Rangers to Lawrence Shankland if they sign Adam Idah ahead of the transfer deadline, according to John Hartson.

Philippe Clement’s side are reportedly interested in signing the Hearts captain this summer and reports have suggested Old Firm rivals Celtic could look to hijack any move and secure his signature [HITC, 30 July].

Go Radio pundit Hartson believes the Gers’ are more in need of a player in Shankland’s style and doesn’t believe the Hoops will “need” the Scottish international if all goes to plan this summer.

Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show (1 August, 50:00) Paul Cooney asked: “What do you feel about Lawrence Shankland, do you think he’s going to go to Rangers? Could Celtic come in for him and could he fit in as a back-up to Kyogo if they don’t get Adam Idah?”

Hartson replied: “I don’t know where Celtic are thinking on this one because if you don’t get Idah, you’ve obviously got Bojan Miovski as well.

“With 31 goals from Scotland, you’d think certainly Rangers in terms of goals, they need that out-and-out goalscorer.

“Celtic finished up with two, Kyogo and James Forrest came in out of the blue and made a big difference. Idah made a massive difference.

“If they get Idah, then forget Shankland for Celtic I would think. I don’t think they need him.”

Will Celtic or Rangers sign Lawrence Shankland amid Hearts exit rumours?

As Hartson suggests, the Gers are currently crying out for a new number nine, while their Glasgow rivals don’t appear to be in quite so much of a rush to bolster their attacking options before the window slams shut.

Although Clement has Cyriel Dessers, Danilo and Hamza Igamane to call upon, all three players have faced their own issues in their time at Ibrox.

In the latter’s case it has been their fitness and in Dessers’ it has been poor form. Ultimately, the Ibrox boss doesn’t have a number nine that he can rely upon to find the net week in and week out.

On the face of it, Shankland would be able to solve that problem incredibly quickly. The Scottish international has demonstrated over the last few years that he can be a consistent source of goals in a Hearts team that hasn’t always impressed.

Whether or not the Gers will try and prize him away from Tynecastle remains to be seen, but it doesn’t seem like they’ll have much competition from their neighbours.

In other Rangers news, Clement has been tipped to make a James Tavernier decision as the Gers’ skipper is linked with an Ibrox exit

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