Pundit backs Rangers to move for Shankland again in January

Alan Hutton has called on Rangers to push for a move to sign Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland in the January transfer window.

The Light Blues reportedly pursued a deal for the Hearts forward throughout the summer until the deadline but the club was unwilling to sanction a multi-million-pound fee for a player in the final year of his contract [HITC].

However, Hutton believes Philippe Clement should return for the under-fire striker to salvage what remains of the campaign when quizzed by host Darrell Currie on The Scottish Football Social Club [11 November, 32:09].

He said: “They should have done it before. Of course I would still take him. You don’t become a bad player overnight.

“I have always said he’s getting in the right areas, he’s probably just snatching at things a little bit. He feels that he needs to, as captain, be that guy and it is just not quite happening for him. He is a good player and I would go and get him. In a Rangers team he would score goals.”

Lawrence Shankland would be the perfect signing for Rangers

For Rangers supporters, it feels inevitable that Clement will be packing his bags at Ibrox at some point this season after a poor start to the campaign.

However, for the time being, at least, the heat will be off the Belgian after Cyriel Dessers admitted he wouldn’t play for the club if he was a more clinical finisher.

The Nigerian is averaging a goal every other game in Glasgow and despite criticism, is on track to surpass his 22-goal contributions last term – but he has not helped his cause with his comments.

Furthermore, long-term target Shankland is expected to become available in the winter transfer market as his Hearts contract runs out at the end of June and a contract extension appears well and truly off the table.

The 29-year-old has struggled in the Scottish Premiership this year having scored only once in 13 outings although, he boasts an identical record of 24 goals and four assists in his last two seasons and is without a doubt one of the best forwards in Scotland.

While his underwhelming form may be off-putting for other interested parties, Rangers have the perfect opportunity to land a long-awaited target and perhaps hand Dessers the Ibrox exit he so evidently desires.

Clement may be living on borrowed time at Ibrox but signing Shankland could be exactly what his side needs to turn around their domestic fortunes and help push deep into the latter stages of the Europa League – this deal is an absolute no-brainer for the Light Blues.

In other Rangers news, Philippe Clement has lost the faith of the Gers players as a ‘broken’ verdict has emerged after the win against Hearts.

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