As Rangers manager Philippe Clement hints at more homegrown transfer business, did he just point towards a summer move for Hearts talisman Lawrence Shankland?
The Belgian boss was talking after he guided the Rangers team past Hibs on Scottish Cup duties, Hampden now awaiting after a 2-0 victory.
But the result could come at a cost with the injury list mounting and Rangers’ options, particularly in forward areas, dwindling by the week.
Rangers pair Dujon Sterling and Ross McCausland went off in the match at Easter Road, whilst Ryan Jack’s Ibrox future is on the precipice after yet another injury.
Rangers manager on homegrown necessity
It’s a situation which has put pressure on Rangers’ European squad, which is of course three men short of a full 25 due to an imbalance of homegrown players in the team.
That’s a situation which Philippe Clement has just hinted the club could look to rectify either by bringing players in or developing them in house.
“The first thing is to win all the games or to try to win all the games,” said Clement. “That’s my ambition.
“But it’s also important for me to develop young players and to give them chances, and to let them grow.
“And it’s important for Scottish football also that we give chances to young Scottish players so they can grow.
“We need to look also into that for our European squad because we miss several players in the squad because we didn’t have enough Scottish players on the list.
“Or we need to buy it but we maybe need our money also for other things. Or we need to build them ourselves in the next couple of years.
“That’s one of my objectives also, to get players our of Academy who can grow to become Rangers first XI players.”
Is Philippe Clement watching Lawrence Shankland?
It’s clear that Philippe Clement has one eye on the Scottish talent pool with regards Rangers and as a result, Lawrence Shankland is undoubtedly bound to be within his gaze.
The talismanic Hearts striker would be a homegrown option for Philippe Clement who has banged in a quite incredible 27 goals already this season.
Strongly linked in January, perhaps the Rangers manager’s “money” quip in the comments was in reference to Hearts’ January asking price of close to £5m.
But with Lawrence Shankland entering the final 12 months of his deal in the summer, there are few better striking options than the hitman in the Scottish Premiership.
We’d be very surprised if Rangers aren’t keeping close tabs on the striker and Philippe Clement’s comments only further emphasise that the club are well aware of Lawrence Shankland.
