“They know the numbers” – will Rangers finally sign Lawrence Shankland?

0
“They know the numbers” – will Rangers finally sign Lawrence Shankland?
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 29: Lawrence Shankland at the UEFA Europa League Play-Offs second leg match between Heart Of Midlothian and Viktoria Plzen at Tynecastle Park on August 29, 2024 in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Euan Cherry/Getty Images)

Lawrence Shankland has reared his head yet again, after long-time Rangers link and Hearts’ captain was once again the topic of discussion from Gorgie chief executive Andrew McKinlay.

ADVERTISEMENT

Hearts’ supremo was addressing the club stalwart (who has had a dreadful season this campaign much like his team mates) and his contract situation, confirming he 100% wishes to open those chats but warns that he won’t hike the boy’s wages much.

McKinlay (briefly linked with a Rangers move himself) said:

“They know the numbers that were there before. We are absolutely happy to have discussions. Why wouldn’t we be? Lawrence has had two magnificent seasons. He’s had a difficult start to this season, but I’ve no doubt he’ll have a third good season. We would obviously want to keep Lawrence, but it would have to be at the right level for us. We can’t go smashing our own wage structures.”

This is about as much a concession that he will leave as you will get.

ADVERTISEMENT

Shankland has been on record a few times wanting to either switch to a bigger league or a bigger club, and while he has designs on Rangers, no move for him had ever materialised from any Rangers manager until the club finally reported submitted a low-ball number last window.

There’s been talk, there’s been overtures, there’s even been some discussions between the clubs, but no serious offer was ever formally made at the numbers Hearts wanted (£3.5M).

Therefore McKinlay will be well aware that he’s essentially admitting the club can’t afford what Shankland would theoretically ask for a new salary, with his being on a very modest £3,000 at present. The captain would want that tripled, easily.

ADVERTISEMENT

And he’s not only not going to get that at Tynecastle, but wouldn’t want to stay there anyway in the first place once his contract is up – he’s clear that he wants a new challenge, a bigger league – and at his age, this is his time to get the big money his ability deserves. And maybe, just maybe, the move to Rangers he craves.

So will Rangers make that move? He may well be under assurances that Rangers will make that move again once he’s out of contract, and he just has to see this season out.

He will certainly get more than £3,000 wherever he goes anyway!

No posts to display