How many players will leave and arrive at Rangers over the summer is anyone’s guess, however, there is one name that many think should be a no-brainer.
Lawrence Shankland scored his second international goal for Scotland against Finland to add to his assist against Gibraltar and once again showed the sort of finishing ability that Philippe Clement needs in his squad.
The Rangers manager will need to replace the departed Kemar Roofe and, as the best finisher at the club, it makes sense to find someone with the same uncanny knack for finding space in the box.
Lawrence Shankland serves Rangers transfer reminder
There isn’t going to be a blank cheque this summer and replacing five senior players isn’t going to be easy.
Shankland is experienced, will be flying after cementing his place in the national side and from scoring 30 goals in each of the last two seasons.
Talks about his future have been shelved, for now, but his name has to be on a list somewhere in Nils Koppen’s office in Auchenhowie.
Speaking after the game against Finland, Shankland was relieved to get back to doing what he does best:
“It’s great, it’s always nice to get goals for your country, so it was a really nice feeling.
“First and foremost, you want to come through the game fit and send us in a strong way to Germany.
“The place is buzzing and so it should be, we all want to go to the tournament and enjoy it.
“For large parts we controlled the game. We did enough to win it, and everyone came through the game fit.”
Rangers need to make room for Shankland in budget and squad
It’s not a question of whether or not Lawrence Shankland was worth £4-5m last summer, the question was why did Michael Beale spend that sort of money on Cyriel Dessers with a proven scorer on his doorstep?
When you consider the home-grown situation it makes things even worse.
Sam Lammers had been signed, talks were well underway for Danilo too, Shankland seemed obvious.
Rangers will have to pay £4.3m for Mohamed Diomande this summer, Adama Traore has been linked with a £3.5m move and in recent days, Albion Rrahmani is the subject of talks between Koppen and Rapid Bucharest with a £5m valuation.
It looks like any deal for Shankland will have to involve a player moving out, be it Lammers or Dessers.
Scottish players who could make a difference to Rangers squad are few and far between.
Rangers need prolific number nines.
Surely, this is the summer when Shankland’s dream becomes a reality?
