Rangers audition verdict – fail

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Rangers audition verdict – fail
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Lawrence Shankland of Dundee United warms up prior to the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Dundee United at Ibrox Stadium on September 12, 2020 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

If yesterday taught us any one thing, it’s that Lawrence Shankland is nowhere near the level needed for Rangers.

Sure, his side were painfully inferior to Rangers in every way apart from violence meted, but nevertheless his 30-minute cameo did nothing to suggest he is even remotely of the quality Rangers even require in reserve.

Bear in mind, this was his 19th appearance at SPL level, and in all those outings he has just one goal, for Aberdeen.

Yesterday, given his big chance to at least test Jon McLaughlin, he shanked his shot into the side netting.

Sure, Morelos and our other strikers have done way worse in our shirt, but unfortunately for Shankland he’s trying to impress, and he has to prove himself in ways they maybe didn’t, but the reality is his performance was innocuous at best.

Shankland is a Championship level striker. His goal rate at that level recently is stunning, no argument there. It’s nearly one in one.

But as Rangers found out in 2016, the step up from Championship to SPL is colossal, truly colossal – a Rangers which strode through 2015/2016 struggled on its maiden season back in the SPL, despite a pile of new signings.

And Shankland is learning that too. From nearly one in one in the Championship with Ayr and Utd, to one in basically 20 in the SPL. Look at how Jason Holt crumbled in the SPL for us compared to his amazing displays in the Championship. And we say that with a heavy heart because we absolutely adored him.

Shankland is just not good enough, regardless of whether he’s a dyed-in-the-wool Ranger or not.

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2 COMMENTS

  1. Think that Is a bit harsh !
    He played for half an hour and he’s been out injured for 6 weeks .
    Aberdeen may just have not worked out for him ? And was only 18 or 19 at the time
    Still think he would score goals at Rangers .

  2. Correct. And I’m sure the same would be true of Lyndon Dykes as it was previously about Jason Cummings. Maybe Steven Gerrard and his staff do actually know what they are doing and will be proved correct about Docherty, McCrorie and Jones in time too.

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