We have touched on this topic in recent articles regarding Rangers’ position on Rangers fans joining the squad. There is a distinct lack of this in the case. While there have been one or two Rangers fans in the squad, the overall lack of them over the last seven or eight years has been absolutely chronic.
Shankland Arrives At The Perfect Time
However, one man has joined who has already made a big impact emotionally, if nothing else, for now before he starts properly playing. That is, of course, Lawrence Shankland.
Shankland’s stats career wise are absolutely outstanding. This is one of those rare occasions when a Rangers fan, already in red hot form for most of his career, finally gets to join Rangers with the potential of transcending to a completely new level.
Shankland is literally at peak level.
He is clearly and easily Rangers’ best new striker signing since Nikica Jelavić and Steven Naismith way back in 2011.
Memories Of Jelavić And Naismith
Back in those days, both Jelavić and Naismith were on fire. They were top quality strikers and were essentially one man machines.
Shankland has the potential to be just as good as that. If not more.
We have seen just how talented he is. When you add Rangers to the picture, it becomes something else.
Would Barry Ferguson have been the player that he was if he had not started his career at Rangers?
The answer is probably not.
Getting to play for the team that you love makes a massive impact on a player’s contribution and ability. Of course, it affects commitment as well.
Some players never realise their dream. We have, of course, mentioned Scott Allan there. Shankland has now achieved his, and he arrives at the peak age of maturity, experience and ability.
A Potential 35 Goal Striker
What can we expect from Shankland?
Ibrox Noise believes we have a potential 35 goal a season player.
This is a guy who has scored for borderline fun at much lower teams.
Whether or not we look at Hearts’ achievements last season of nearly winning the title, there is no question they were not an outstanding football team.
Shankland did a lot of the work himself. While many Hearts players were strong, including Cammy Devlin, Hearts were not exactly a team that created a ton of chances.
Shankland had to do a lot of the work for himself.
Everything Is In Place
Fed by the superior players, in theory, at Rangers and backed by higher ambition, the opportunity is obvious.
There is no question whatsoever that Shankland has every tool in the box to transcend and become one of the best strikers Rangers have had in a very long time.
Naismith and Jelavić were probably the last two we can genuinely consider top strikers.
If Shankland gets the service and realises the potential he has shown throughout his career, this could be a very special era for Rangers and for Lawrence Shankland.
We look very much forward to seeing him in the red, white and blue.