Another Deal Alert: Rangers FC and Lawrence Shankland are expected to sign a five-year contract
The Scottish striker Lawrence Shankland, who is now with Heart of Midlothian, has reportedly agreed to a five-year contract with Rangers FC in what may be one of the season’s most intriguing transactions. Shankland is likely to become a vital member of Michael Beale’s assault as the team continues to bolster itself for both home and European competitions. The deal is anticipated to be concluded in the next few days.
Shankland, 28, has been playing brilliantly for Hearts since moving from Dundee United to Tynecastle Park in 2021. He has established himself as one of the best forwards in the Scottish Premiership throughout his time with Hearts. He is an exceptional player because of his clinical finishing, deft mobility, and capacity to lead the line. He finished as one of the league’s top scorers in the 2023–2024 season, which was quite outstanding. Rangers seem eager to bring him to Ibrox to expand their attacking options, as his performances have not gone ignored.
Shankland’s reported transfer fee is around £3 million, which is still seen as a fair price for a player of his caliber and promise while also reflecting his substantial worth to Hearts. Rangers were much more interested in this trade because Shankland had less than a year left on his Hearts contract.
Shankland’s choice to join Rangers was also influenced by his desire to play for one of Scotland’s top teams and in European competitions.
Under manager Michael Beale, Rangers FC has been searching for a striker who can offer greater competition and depth up front. The arrival of Shankland is viewed as a crucial step in filling the vacancy left by Alfredo Morelos’ departure and the recent difficulties of other forwards. Rangers may be able to gain the advantage they require in the Premiership and their European campaigns thanks to the 28-year-old’s flexibility and consistency.
Rangers supporters, who have been asking for more attacking firepower, are anticipated to welcome Shankland’s arrival. The striker may be an immediate impact at Ibrox thanks to his Scottish football expertise and desire to excel at a higher level. His acquisition not only makes Rangers’ team stronger
According to reports, Shankland is currently completing the necessary paperwork and going through medicals in preparation for his permanent transfer to the Rangers. In the coming days, if everything goes as planned, the striker will be formally introduced as a new Rangers player, representing a significant turning point in the team’s transfer activity before the upcoming campaign. His official signing and possible impact on the team are already much anticipated by fans.
Rangers supporters will recall Welsh international left-back Declan John from his brief stay at Ibrox in 2017/18.
The former Cardiff City left-back joined Rangers on loan from the Welsh club and was so successful that the club made the signing permanent six months later.
Only a few months after Declan John signed a permanent agreement with Rangers, the arrival of Steven Gerrard to the club’s management marked the beginning of the end for the defender.
But John could be returning to Ibrox this season after signing a short-term contract with one of Rangers’ Scottish Premiership rivals.
Declan John signed with St Mirren.
Declan John has signed a short-term contract with St Mirren until January, following the controversial dismissal of defender Jaden Brown.
The 29-year-old left-back joins St Mirren after being released by Bolton Wanderers in the summer following a loan spell with Salford City.
It is now up to the former Rangers defender to secure a longer-term contract in Paisley, with Saints manager Steven Robinson pressing John to make an impact.
“Declan is here on a short-term contract with the option to extend depending on how things go,” Robinson informed the official St Mirren website.
“Due to the conditions, we are severely lacking in defensive cover. Declan comes in with a wealth of experience.
“He’s played at some of the highest levels and has previously played in Scotland, so we’re quite fortunate to have him.
“We’ve witnessed his abilities in his first few days of training. He’s a talented child with excellent technical skills, but he hasn’t played much football in recent months, so we need to look into that and attempt to get him up to speed.
“To add to the squad with the quality and background Declan has, I believe we are very lucky at this stage of the season.”
Rangers are scheduled to travel to St Mirren on Scottish Premiership duty on December 26th, with St Mirren returning to Rangers on February 22nd.
It means John will have to sign a longer-term contract with St Mirren if he wants to return to Rangers next season.
Ex-Gers star is ‘delighted’ to be back in Scotland
Declan John returns to Scotland for the first time since leaving Rangers in the summer of 2018 to join Swansea City for £800,000.
However, the defender’s situation south of the border has not been favorable.
John was loaned out to Sunderland and then Bolton while at Swansea, before joining the Trotters permanently in 2021.
Declan John, who has returned to Scotland with St Mirren, is determined to make a difference for the Saints and says he is ‘extremely happy’ to be in Paisley.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be here,” John exclaimed. “It has been a hectic few days.
“I came up on Thursday, exercised on Friday, then went to witness the game on Saturday, which was a huge victory for the boys. I’ve enjoyed it and am looking forward to getting back into training.
“Everything has been so happy once we walked in, and you can feel it in the changing room. It feels like a pretty nice place to be.
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