NafisaRangers appear to have landed one of the biggest transfer blows of the summer already after moving ahead of Celtic F.C. in the race to sign Lawrence Shankland.
The Hearts captain is now on the verge of completing a sensational move to Ibrox after reports confirmed that agreements have been reached for the Scotland international to join Danny Rohl’s side ahead of the new campaign.
It is a transfer that is already causing major discussion across Scottish football, especially given Celtic’s previous interest in the striker over the last few years.
Shankland has repeatedly been linked with Celtic during his rise in Scottish football, dating back to his incredible goalscoring days at Ayr United before later becoming one of the Premiership’s most dangerous forwards at Hearts.
Reports in previous transfer windows claimed Celtic scouts closely monitored the striker, while speculation intensified again during Brendan Rodgers’ time in charge as the Hoops searched for additional firepower in attack.
However, despite all the links and interest, Celtic never pushed through a move — and Rangers have now stepped in to take advantage.
The timing makes the situation even more painful for many Celtic supporters considering the uncertainty now surrounding Daizen Maeda’s future at Parkhead.
The Japanese forward finished the season in sensational form and played a massive role in Celtic’s dramatic title triumph and Scottish Cup success. Yet growing rumours continue suggesting that interest from abroad could finally tempt him away from Glasgow this summer.
That has only increased frustration among sections of the Celtic support who now believe Rangers may have stolen one of the most experienced and proven attacking players available in Scotland.
Shankland himself is coming off another outstanding campaign with Hearts, scoring 20 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions while nearly leading the Edinburgh side to a historic league title.
Only a final-day defeat against Celtic denied Hearts what would have been their first top-flight crown in more than six decades.
Now, instead of moving to the champions, Shankland looks set to pull on the blue shirt of Rangers — the club he supported growing up.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Rangers had reached full agreement to sign the striker, with paperwork now completed ahead of an official announcement.
Reports suggest Shankland is expected to sign a two-year contract at Ibrox with the option of a third season included in the agreement.
The move also signals the beginning of what is expected to become a major summer rebuild at Rangers under new manager Danny Rohl and chairman Andrew Cavenagh.
The club are expected to heavily back Rohl during the transfer window and landing one of Scotland’s most reliable goalscorers so early in the summer is already being viewed as a major statement of intent.
For Celtic though, the optics surrounding the transfer are difficult to ignore.
Not only have Rangers secured one of the Premiership’s most consistent attacking players, but they have also managed to beat their biggest rivals to a player long admired across Scotland — and one many supporters believed could eventually end up at Parkhead.
Instead, Lawrence Shankland now looks set to begin the next chapter of his career on the blue half of Glasgow.
Nafisa
