Philippe Clement still has time to reconsider his position and make a move to sign Lawrence Shankland at Rangers, says Keith Jackson.
The Daily Record journalist wrote for the paper’s website on 22 July that the Gers manager may be questioning whether “shouldn’t have thrown the kitchen sink” at a deal for the Hearts captain in the January window as the new campaign nears and the team stutters through preseason.
Whether that was down to a lack of transfer funds or because the Belgian isn’t convinced by Shankland’s ability to press from the front Clement’s judgment is said to be “fatally flawed” if he thought Cyriel Dessers was more likely to win him the title.
Jackson added: “Of course, it’s never too late for a change of heart and there’s even time for Clement to reconsider his position on Shankland before the season begins. But first, of course, he’ll have to sell before he can buy.”
Cyriel Dessers could be sold for Rangers to sign Hearts striker
Rangers’ limp 2-0 friendly defeat to Manchester United has heightened concerns around a squad that still appears to be only half way through an important remodelling.
Shankland’s availability was immediately highlighted in the wake of the preseason game [Jonny McFarlane, 20 July] with the Light Blues struggling for goals.
Despite heavy speculation that Clement would look to sign the Scotland international the Belgian seems to be one of the few people left who isn’t considering it.
Shankland has scored 59 times for the Jam Tarts in two seasons and has rejected offers to extend his contract at Tynecastle so now has less than a year left on his deal.
Dessers has done his bit at Ibrox after totalling 22 goals last term but has proven he is not the number one goalscorer the Gers need and is available for sale this summer, along with everyone else not named Jack Butland.
Multiple clubs are interested in signing the Nigerian international this summer [Rangers Review, 3 July] so if Clement does have to sell to buy then pushing through a deal as a matter of haste would be a good idea.
There is more merit in keeping Dessers in Glasgow than Sam Lammers but the latter’s contract is blocking moves to the Eredivisie [AD Voetbal podcast, 15 July] where he managed to generate interest on loan last term, in what has been termed a “huge” issue for the manager.
But if Shankland could be a late option the Light Blues will have to do deals where they can to make it a possibility.
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