Rangers could push to secure the signature of Lawrence Shankland if they beat Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League qualifiers, according to Leanne Crichton.
The Light Blues can book their place in the final qualifying round with a win over the Ukrainian side at Hampden Park and should they progress, they will pocket a reported £4million to £5million [Go Radio, 8 August, 39:30].
While Go Radio pundit Crichton believes the Gers would have already signed the Hearts captain if he was their top target, she admits that the potential influx of cash could change their approach.
Speaking on The Go Radio Football Show (8 August, 39:45) he said: “For me, it would be a no-brainer and I know a lot of people think the same.
“But I don’t hear enough in terms of that coming from Rangers. I don’t think there’s enough noise and I think Philippe Clement did not completely rule it out recently.
“I didn’t actually hear it, it was just a friend of mine who said it sounded like he was kind of not distancing himself from it.
“But I think if that was going to be a deal, it would have been at the start of the window, it would have been an absolute dead-on that Rangers would have gone to get their man.
“You might be right Paul, that money coming in might change things, but I just don’t see it happening.”
Will Lawrence Shankland exit Hearts amid Rangers transfer speculation?
Everyone who has watched the Gers over the last couple of seasons will agree that Clement’s side could do with a little more firepower if they are to close the gap to Celtic at the top of the Premiership table this term.
While Cyriel Dessers has shown signs of improvement in the opening week of the campaign, he cannot be the only option available to the Gers boss each and every week while Danilo and Hamza Igamane address fitness issues.
Shankland does seem like the perfect solution as he not only knows the league, but he is also an older head who would add an element of experience and know-how that has been missing from Clement’s ranks.
If Rangers do book their place in the next round of Champions League qualifying, maybe they will then have the cash available to get the deal over the line.
All in all, Crichton’s verdict just means that it is even more important that the Gers manage to progress against Dynamo Kyiv at Hampden Park next week.
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