Rangers

Martin Watt
BBC Sport Scotland

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Derek McInnes asserted at various times throughout the season that Lawrence Shankland is the best striker in Scottish football.

That remains up for debate – but one thing for certain is Hearts' loss is Rangers' gain.

Eleven months after the striker ended a saga over his future by signing a three-year deal to stay at Tynecastle, he has abruptly left to join a direct rival.

The 30-year-old Scotland international's stats make impressive reading. He leaves with an overall record of 88 goals – plus 29 assists – in 171 games for Hearts.

Since his move to Tynecastle in summer 2022, no player has scored more Premiership goals than Shankland, who hit 72 in 135 matches. He is also top in that timeframe for shots and shots on target.

With Shankland in the team, Hearts had a win rate of 49.6% and averaged 1.7 points per game. When he was absent, those figures fell to 41% and 1.41 respectively.

In his prolific debut year in Gorgie, Shankland netted 28 across all competitions. It made him the club's first player since John Robertson in 1991-92 to break the 20-goal barrier in a season – he departs having achieved the feat in three of his four Tynecastle campaigns.

His numbers dipped last term as Hearts struggled, finishing in the bottom six under Neil Critchley, but he has been back to his best this season as McInnes' side fell just short of an incredible title triumph.

Shankland was joint second in the Premiership goal chart – behind Motherwell's Tawanda Maswanhise (17) – with 16 goals, from an xG of just 11.32. The Hearts skipper had the fourth most shots and shots on target, scored 10 of his 21 big chances and was also top five for touches in the opposition box.

Of course, there's more to Shankland than goals. "Proper captain", "huge influence on our team" and "best signing" were other accolades Hearts boss McInnes bestowed upon the skipper and striker.

Link-up play, game intelligence and leadership are all assets Shankland brings to Ibrox and Hearts must find a way of replacing.

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Hearts took just 49 words to announce the end of Lawrence Shankland's Tynecastle career.

The striker was a hero in Gorgie, but moves on after four years and will officially become a Rangers player next month.

"Heart of Midlothian can confirm that Lawrence Shankland is leaving the club to join Rangers," the club's statement said.

"The striker will make the move to Ibrox on undisclosed terms once the summer transfer window opens on June 15th.

"We thank Lawrence for all of his efforts during his four years in Gorgie."

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Lawrence Shankland says he will always be grateful to Hearts, but is now ready to lead Rangers' drive for silverware.

The Scotland striker, 30, has swapped Tynecastle for Ibrox on a two-year contract with the option for a further 12 months.

Glasgow-born Shankland scored 20 goals for Hearts last season and 88 in a four-year spell.

Rangers passed up the chance to sign him under Russell Martin last summer but head coach Danny Rohl was quick to snap him up.

Shankland, who captained Hearts in recent campaigns, told Rangers TV: "The last two or three years have been huge in terms of development of the leadership side.

"Obviously, it's not easy to be captain, Hearts are another big club, and there are a lot of pressures as well.

"It's a responsibility I feel I've dealt with pretty well. There have been a couple of tough moments in there as well with Hearts that we had to deal with and come through.

"We had a good season last year, but I now come here with all those learning curves done and I feel like I am in a really good spot in my career to join Rangers.

"When you come to make the decision to leave, it's never easy. It was a bit easier, the fact that it's obviously Rangers, but listen, Hearts have been a huge part of my life for the last four years, and I'll always be grateful to them for the opportunities they gave me."

Rangers fans, is Shankland's signing a serious statement of intent as the club look to get back among the silverware? Tell us here.

Hearts fans, where does Shankland's exit leave your club? What needs to happen now? Have your say.

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Rangers' expected capture of Lawrence Shankland is better late than never.

That's the verdict of Kris Doolan, a former striker who knew the way to goal himself with over 120 career strikes.

Dollan reckons 30-year-old Hearts captain Shankland is a forward Rangers have been "crying out for for years" and says it makes sense for the club to target the domestic market.

Shankland is set to undergo a medical on Tuesday before completing his transfer to Ibrox.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish football podcast, Doolan added: "I think he's a brilliant signing for Rangers.

"Rangers at the top are starting to realise there's good players in Scotland and you know don't have to always go and spend millions of pounds to bring players in when you've got a Shankland for instance who knows the league, who knows the clubs in Scottish football.

"You think back to the successful Rangers sides with Kris Boyd, Kenny Miller. You don't have to go far for these guys and to find them in the country.

"So sometimes we overlook the top Scottish players, although it is a sore one for Hearts because he's been outstanding for them.

"He's been one of those players where every time he plays they win. He contributes whether he scores or he assists. His movement's great."

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Rangers aim to open talks with Wrexham over a return to Ibrox for attacking midfielder Josh Windass, 32. (Ben Jacobs on X), external

Lawrence Shankland will undergo a medical today before sealing his switch to Rangers from Hearts. (Scottish Sun), external

Rangers fans, we asked for your views on the potential/signing of Lawrence Shankland from Hearts.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Richard: Would love to see Shankland join Rangers, should've taken him when we had the chance last time, but it almost felt we were too good for him - look how that turned out! Great player, would be a brilliant replacement for Tavernier as captain.

Sally: At 30 years old, Shankland is not a good investment for Rangers. He is a good player, but he is now more prone to injury. Danny Rohl should be looking to retain Nico Raskin and give him the captaincy.

Lex: Can Shankland play at centre-half? Rangers need more than an elderly forward.

John: This is a transfer that should have happened about three years ago. Rangers fans have been shouting about him for years. Pity he had to wait so long, but a great signing

Ian: Hope it's not too little too late, he should have been signed last year

Neil: Get Shankland and make him captain, what an example he'd be to the young Scottish players coming through. Great work ethic.

David: This scenario redefines 'better late than never'. Our inexplicable refusals to try and sign Shankland over recent seasons cost us dearly - almost certainly the title on one occasion. Hopefully, this all falls into place quickly. He's exactly what we need and a ready-made captain.

John: He should have been a Rangers player long before now.

Kheredine Idessane
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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There is "a very high possibility" Lawrence Shankland will be handed the captain's armband should he complete his move to Rangers from Hearts, according to former Ibrox centre-half Colin Hendry.

The 30-year-old Scotland striker is expected to make the switch despite agreeing a new contract last summer at Tynecastle, where he has worn the skippers' armband.

Speaking at Hampden Park as he helped launch next month's Refugee World Cup, Hendry said: "He's more than equipped to lead and and that would be a statement right away.

"I would think there'd be a very high possibility of him becoming the captain. I think if you were to talk about how well he did at Hearts in that role then I think a lot of people would say that he's been successful and able to cope with that and everything that's thrown at you in relation to that position and that situation."

As much as Hendry is confident Shankland will thrive it Ibrox, he nonetheless says "it's a shock" to see the move so close to completion so quickly after the end of the domestic season.

"First of all, he'd re-signed for Hearts last season," the former Scotland defender added. "I've spoken to a couple of people there that know more about it and there was a clause that he could leave.

"It would be Danny Rohl's first signing of the summer window and I think it would be great for Rangers. He would be a great asset to Rangers if they get the signature.

"To get him signed prior to going to the World Cup would be good as well because everybody's at ease and then you know it's finished - you know it's all tied up. It's a big, big coup for Rangers. "

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Lawrence Shankland's pending transfer to Rangers is a "win-win" for the Scotland striker and Hearts, according to Ryan Flynn.

Rangers have agreed a deal with their Scottish Premiership rivals for the 30-year-old, with the move subject to a medical.

And Arbroath midfielder Flynn, previously of Falkirk, Sheffield United and St Mirren, thinks much has changed since a move to Ibrox failed to materialise a year ago.

"I don't think Lawrence Shankland's stock was as high last summer," he tells the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast. "So, from a business point of view - from Rangers' perspective - they could probably have got him for a fraction of what it'll cost now.

"I'd imagine he'll be asking for a substantial signing-on fee and higher wages now. So, financially, that's not ideal for Rangers.

"But, from a player's perspective, it's absolutely the right move for him. He'll make more money and it's his boyhood club - that's where he wants to go."

Hearts are poised to lose the captain and top scorer who led them so close to their first Scottish title in 66 years, but Flynn believes the Edinburgh club's tie-in with the Jamestown Analytics recruitment model will find a suitable replacement.

"The players will be gutted, of course, but I don't think he'll be the only one leaving Hearts," he says.

"I think the club - under the Jamestown model - has had an outstanding season, and this is only the start. There will be more players moving on.

"To be honest, from Hearts' point of view, yes, he's leaving for a nominal fee - maybe even effectively a free transfer - but keeping him for that year has turned out to be fantastic business.

"They've now qualified for Champions League qualifiers, they've had a brilliant season and they're probably ahead of where they expected to be under this new model.

"Over five or six years, they'll look to build even more, but this European money and success means they're already ahead of the curve. So I actually think, all things considered, it's a win-win."

Lawrence Shankland is flying back to Glasgow from holiday to have a medical and complete a transfer to Rangers, who have offered the 30-year-old striker a two-year contract - with an option of a third - and will join the Ibrox club for free because of a clause in his Hearts contract. (Daily Record), external

Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland will sign for Rangers after agreeing personal terms with the club he supported as a boy. (Scottish Sun), external

Lawrence Shankland could overtake centre-half Emmanuel Fernandez and midfielder Nicolas Raskin as Rangers' new captain should the Scotland striker complete his transfer from Hearts. (Football Insider), external

Dan Neil is to hold talks with Rangers as the 24-year-old midfielder comes to the end of his Sunderland contract after finishing the season on loan to Ipswich Town as they won promotion to the Premier League. (Alan Nixon on Patreon), external

Rangers have been told they must outbid Portsmouth, who had an offer rejected in January, if they wish to complete a deal to sign 22-year-old centre-half Luke Graham from Dundee this summer. (Football Insider), external

Rangers rejected Monaco's £10m loan to permanent offer for Djeidi Gassama in January, but the 22-year-old winger and the Ibrox club would be open to a similar offer this summer. (Football Insider), external

Hull City's promotion to the Premier League will make it harder for Rangers to pursue their interest in 24-year-old Leeds United forward Joe Gelhardt, who scored 14 goals on loan to the Tigers this season. (Football Insider), external

Volendam midfielder Juninho Bacuna says Steven Gerrard's departure from Rangers prevented him establishing himself on loan at Ibrox, but the 28-year-old is hoping to help former Rangers boss Dick Advocaat steer Curacao to victory in this month's World Cup warm-up against Scotland. (The Herald), external

Former Rangers head coach Russell Martin has travelled to both Italy and Spain to speak to clubs over managerial roles, but the former Scotland defender is also wanted by Leicester City after their relegation to League One. (Alan Nixon on Patreon), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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Former Hearts striker Ryan Stevenson worries how the club would cope if they were to lose their captain Lawrence Shankland.

The Scotland international is set to join Rangers after consistently being linked with a move to Ibrox in recent years.

Shankland led Hearts to second place this season, with the Tynecastle side missing out on the title to Celtic on the final day. Since joining in 2022, the forward has scored 88 goals in 171 appearances.

"Straight away, you're losing 20 to 30 goals a season if Shankland leaves," Stevenson told BBC Scotland. "You're losing your captain, who is pivotal on and off the park.

"One of Hearts' title rivals is potentially taking their best player. It's a bitter blow. They're going to somehow have to try to replace him and I just don't see how Hearts do that.

"They need to find solutions, maybe that's signing two players. They are going to have to put their money where their mouth is."

Stevenson also feels Shankland could take the captain's armband for Rangers with James Tavernier departing Ibrox after 11 years.

"From Rangers' point of view, what a signing," he said.

"I would be very surprised if he wasn't in with a shout of being Rangers captain too, with Tavernier leaving.

"I think he would score more goals for Rangers than he does for Hearts. If it goes through, it's a tremendous signing for Rangers."

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

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Rangers chairman Andrew Cavenagh spoke last Sunday about the club's need for leaders, ideally Scottish leaders and gnarled professionals.

He never mentioned Lawrence Shankland but almost didn't need to. The striker is everything he was describing. Rangers are not particularly lacking for goals - they outscored Celtic and Hearts in the Scottish Premiership in the season just gone - but they need steel and presence and Shankland provides that.

It was evident on Friday that things were moving quickly. It's still not definite - as of now he has not signed and there's still a medical to complete - but everything is heading rapidly in the right direction from a Rangers perspective, if not from a Hearts point of view.

Shankland is returning from holiday and final agreement would appear to be imminent. Pending any departures he would join Youssef Chermiti, Ryan Naderi, Bojan Miovski and Danilo as Danny Rohl's options up front. It's unlikely that all of those will be Rangers players come the start of the season. Shankland, if it gets done, would be the main man.

People with knowledge of the negotiations are being coy about what Rangers are paying Hearts for Shankland. Both sides are not comfortable talking about a supposed break clause in Shankland's Hearts contract that would allow him to leave for nothing, a scenario that would, no doubt, infuriate Hearts fans even further.

Losing their captain and principal scorer is bad enough but losing him for little or no money might be deemed insult added to injury. Right now, the phrases being used are 'undisclosed fee' and 'Rangers paid the required amount'.

Shankland has a prolific record for Hearts against Rangers, scoring both in a 2-0 win at Ibrox in September, getting what turned out to be the winner against them in December and in May, both times at Tynecastle.

He scored against Rangers in a 3-3 draw in May, 2024 and scored in a 3-1 loss and a 2-1 loss in November and October 2023. He's the most prolific scorer Hearts have had since the great John Robertson.

Shankland netted 20 goals for Derek McInnes' team in their near-glory season, part of which he missed through injury. He's pushing hard to start for Scotland against Haiti in the opening game of the World Cup.

For McInnes, this will come as a bitter blow. Shankland and Hearts were at a bit of a stand-off at the end of season 2024-25, a long-running dispute over salary between the club and the player's representatives threatening to see an end of him at Tynecastle.

When McInnes was appointed manager, one of the main items on his list was to keep Shankland. He was insistent he needed the striker and a deal was done. McInnes and Shankland have worked excellently together. Those days would appear to be over. Shankland to Rangers will take a lot of beating as the signing of the summer.

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Rangers want to sign Hearts captain and Scotland forward Lawrence Shankland, 30. (Sun), external

Advanced talks are taking place over Shankland's proposed move to Ibrox. (Sky Sports), external

A deal for Shankland to join Rangers could be completed by the start of next week. (Record - subscription required), external

Rangers are pushing for a move as quickly as possible with Shankland soon to be joining up with Scotland's World Cup squad. (Edinburgh Evening News - subscription required), external

Sunday's Scottish gossip

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Rangers will enter Europa League qualifying this summer as a consequence of Celtic winning the Scottish Cup.

Danny Rohl's side finished third in the Premiership and, had Dunfermline won at Hampden, they would have been in the Conference League qualifiers.

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Rangers' World Cup-bound winger Findlay Curtis says he pushed for his loan move to Kilmarnock and is eager to make his mark at Ibrox next season.

Curtis, who will turn 20 next month, scored five goals in 14 Killie appearances after 3 in 26 at Rangers in the first half of the season.

His form for the Rugby Park side helped the teenager to a "dream come true" place in Steve Clarke's 26-man squad for this summer's World Cup.

"I wanted to push for that loan," Curtis, who made his Scotland debut in March, told Rangers TV.

"I wanted to go out on loan to prove a point to people here that I want to come back and play next season. I want to do my best for this club.

"In my position, you need to score goals and create chances and that's what I've done for the past couple of games. Credit to Kilmarnock for taking me down there. What a club it is and I'm thankful for it. It's been massive.

"I'm grateful for everything that's happened over the past 12 months."

On his World Cup inclusion, Curtis said: "It's a dream come true. Every boy at my age has had a ream to go away with Scotland and to do it at this age, it's massive.

"I was out on the golf course, playing golf with a couple of boys from here and ex-boys from here. I found out at quarter past 10 and when I saw it, I was buzzing.

"It came as a real surprise, really. I spoke to the Scotland gaffer before I left camp and he was saying, 'just keep on working hard and see what happens'.

"I've done really well for the last couple of games for Kilmarnock and I'm obviously in the squad and delighted."

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Rangers midfielder Thelo Aasgaard has been included in Stale Solbakken's Norway squad for this summer's World Cup.

The 24-year-old, who joined Rangers last summer, has been capped six times for the national side. Four of his five Norway goals came in the 11-1 win over Moldova during World Cup qualifying.

Aasgaard has made 48 appearances for Rangers, contributing eight goals and five assists, and will link up with Solbakken's squad, which also includes Manchester City's Erling Halland and Arsenal's Martin Odegaard, at the end of the month.

Norway open their World Cup campaign in Boston against Iraq on 16 June, followed by games against Senegal and France.

Liam Kelly has agreed a new two-year contract with Rangers, with his previous deal set to expire this summer. (Fabrizio Romano on X), external

Rangers remain interested in a summer move for Leeds United striker Joel Piroe, having previously been linked with the Suriname international. (TeamTalk), external

Rangers are keen to tie teenage midfielder Bailey Rice to a new contract before the summer transfer window. (Rangers Review), external

Read the rest of Friday's Scottish gossip.

Rangers will not take up their option to sign Andreas Skov Olsen on a £9m permanent transfer this summer after the Denmark winger's loan spell from Wolfsburg. (The Herald), external

Back-up goalkeepers Liam Kelly and Kieran Wright will leave Rangers this summer, while centre-half Clinton Nsiala, midfielder Jose Cifuentes, wingers Oscar Cortes and Ross McCausland, and striker Danilo will be encouraged to leave on their return from loans, and Lyall Cameron, Thelo Aasgaard, Nedim Bajrami and Bojan Miovski would be better finding new clubs. (Daily Record), external

Middlesbrough and Wrexham are among those monitoring Rangers winger Findlay Curtis, while Bologna and Udinese continue their regular scouting missions as the 19-year-old called up to Scotland's World Cup squad generates increasing interest. (TeamTalk), external

Rangers centre-half Emmanuel Fernandez received the biggest market value upgrade of any player in the Scottish Premiership this season, with the 24-year-old's valuation soaring by £7.8m to £15.6m, while striker Youssef Chermiti is up £5.2m to £13m and Celtic midfielder Benjamin Nygren up £3.5m to £12.1m. (Transfermarkt), external

After being released following his loan spell with Ayr United, 22-year-old centre-half Leon King believes he could still be playing in the current Rangers team - and has vowed to win a return to Ibrox. (Daily Record), external

Sporting Lisbon have made a move for 21-year-old Hacken midfielder Silas Andersen, who is likely to command a £6m fee and who has been previously linked with Celtic and Rangers. (Record), external

Dundee centre-half Luke Graham, who is being looked at by Rangers and is reportedly interesting English clubs, says constant speculation about his future has been "non-stop" and tiring. (Glasgow Times), external

Luke Graham, the 22-year-old centre-half for whom Dundee rejected a £1.5m January bid from Portsmouth, says he does not know yet if he has made his last appearance for the Scottish Premiership club. (The Courier), external

Former Rangers winger Chris Burke says he signed for the Ibrox club instead of Arsenal in 2000 as he was made to feel valued. (Glasgow Times), external

Read Thursday's Scottish Gossip in full.

Alasdair Lamont
BBC Sport Scotland Commentator

Another barren season for Rangers is at an end, followed by an endorsement of the manager by the chairman Andrew Cavenagh.

Supporters had begun to have their doubts about Danny Rohl's ability to bring success to the club and they will desperately hope they are not once again in the position of having to get rid of a manager early next season.

That has been an all-too-familiar scenario in recent years, but Cavenagh and the Rangers board believe Rohl has shown enough to merit a proper pre-season and a summer transfer window to really put his stamp on the squad.

There is so much work to be done in revamping the squad, with a handful of players leaving either at the end of their contracts or loan deals, with others needing to be moved on because they are simply not good enough.

That will leave a relatively small core of trusted individuals around whom Rohl will try to assemble a winning team. Cavenagh was clear this week about the type of player required: relatively experienced, mentally tough and with sufficient ability to immediately improve the first team.

Such players are unlikely to come cheaply, though the Rangers board appear willing to put their hands in their pockets again, despite no Champions League income.

It is, yet again, a massive summer at Ibrox. How many times has that sentence been uttered over the years? Fans will hope for early news of new signings to reignite the excitement that was extinguished by four devastating defeats in a row, the league title going from a genuine prospect to a forlorn hope within a couple of weeks.

This time last year, the takeover gave supporters belief they could end Celtic's stranglehold on the title.

Instead they were helpless bystanders as Martin O'Neill and his side earned a 56th crown, a scenario that must have unfolded agonisingly before their eyes.

Will next season be any different? We shall see.

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Scottish coach and analyst John Walker says Rangers should have appointed Derek McInnes rather than Russell Martin last summer and insists the club face three years of transition under their American owners.

Danny Rohl, who took over from the sacked Martin in October, is to remain in charge after being publicly backed by chairman Andrew Cavenagh despite a third-place Premiership finish and trophyless season.

"I was a big advocate for Russell Martin's appointment and Rangers going to a more sporting, directing, modern model," said Rangers fan Walker on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"But I don't think that'll work at Rangers. If you look at what Hearts did, realistically, new ownership, you should just employ a manager, I hate to say this term, but who knows the league and is a bit more experienced and understands Rangers.

"Probably the man that ended up in the Hearts dugout is the one we should have approached for a safer transition.

"Brighton did the same with Chris Hughton when Jamestown were taking the full reins, that was probably the safer model.

"Rohl represented a bit more of what the pragmatic approach would have been if we'd done that earlier on. I understand that.

"I understand Cavenagh backing him as such, because I think that is the case, they probably look at Rohl behind the scenes more as the type of person they wanted in charge of their club.

"It's going to be a transition for three years until this ownership group gets it nailed on. We've seen that at Leeds and now they've got a pretty good successful model running at Leeds.

"We are very impatient, but as long as we can see something, we'll probably be good, but draw that opening game of next season, everyone's got the pitchforks again."

Rangers have told their Fan Advisory Board the upcoming transfer window will "focus on improving leadership, mentality and squad chemistry, alongside addressing key positional needs", with winger Findlay Curtis set to be reintroduced after the 19-year-old's loan to Kilmarnock. (The Herald), external

Rangers' Fan Advisory Board has raised "concerns" regarding the post-split form under head coach Danny Rohl, noting that "sentiment has deteriorated" on a game-by-game basis and citing their record against top-six opposition as a "key concern". (The National), external

Former Rangers manager Dick Advocaat has refused to explain why he returned as Curacao head coach and says he is only focused on the future, which includes a friendly against Scotland before their debut in the World Cup finals. (Glasgow Times), external

Read the rest of Wednesday's Scottish gossip.

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Rangers must change the entire culture at the club if they are to challenge for trophies next season, according to the club's former goalkeeper Cammy Bell.

The Ibrox side finished without a trophy again this season after losing to Celtic in both domestic cups and finishing third in the Scottish Premiership behind Martin O'Neill's men and Hearts.

Rangers' title hopes collapsed after the split as they lost four consecutive matches and another summer rebuild is looming, with captain James Tavernier departing after 11 years.

"They've not won enough in recent history and that's why the fans are frustrated at the moment," said Bell on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"They've got the new ownership who came in and willing to spend a lot of money but you've got to spend your money wisely, you've got to spend it in the right areas. It's not happened so far.

"Hopefully they've learned from their mistakes and they'll make better decisions going forward.

"Up in Scotland we are completely different from any English team and the ownership are starting to understand that as well.

"The points tally has been on a huge decline over the past seasons, 20 wins this season is not going to win you a title, it's not good enough in the league.

"There's got to be big change. We know there's going to be changes within the dressing room, whether Danny Rohl makes any changes within his backroom staff, we'll soon see, but the culture has to change because they've got to get back to a winning culture and winning trophies."