Shankland Staggeringly Signs New Hearts Deal In Definitive End to Any Rangers Transfer | OneFootball

There are times in football when things take an unexpected direction and fans are left piecing together what just happened. The Lawrence Shankland saga has been one such tale. Rangers Lawrence Shankland transfer suggested the Hearts captain had looked more than poised to make the step up to Govan and finally realise his Ibrox dream. But as is so often the case in this game things have shifted at the last second and not in the way anyone thought they would.

Fabrizio Romano has now confirmed that Lawrence Shankland has agreed a new deal to stay at Tynecastle ending once and for all any Rangers transfer hopes. Despite countless signs Rangers were edging closer to getting their man the Scotland striker has apparently rejected all offers from abroad and committed himself to a long-term stay in Edinburgh. This flies in the face of everything we have covered in recent months and shows just how surprising football decisions can be when personal loyalty and new management influence are involved.

Indeed the arrival of Derek McInnes as Hearts’ new boss appears to have made all the difference. The former Aberdeen manager has wasted no time making a big impact by convincing his captain to stay and commit to his project. This outcome will no doubt sting for many Rangers supporters who had seen Shankland as the ideal forward to lead the line at Ibrox under Russell Martin. The 28-year-old’s numbers speak for themselves and his proven SPFL scoring record was a natural fit for the Light Blues’ needs. But that chapter is now closed.

With Hearts locking down their talisman and Rangers left looking elsewhere the board will need to find new striking options and quickly. The Shankland story has dragged on for far too long and the club must now focus on more realistic signings who actually want to join. The market remains open and Rangers do have irons in the fire but this will go down as a major opportunity missed.

Read more here about how the decision unfolded.