Rangers and Celtic may be involved in a transfer battle in January involving Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland.
According to commentators Barry Ferguson and Peter Grant, BOTH of the Glasgow giants require more firepower. Shankland saved a point for Steve Clarke’s team in the Euro 2024 qualification match in Tbilisi by coming off the bench. The Jambos will only value their star player and acting captain more as the winter transfer window draws near.
However, Ferguson predicts that the Light Blues will show “interest” in the 28-year-old, as former Hoops star Grant thinks the player could help Brendan Rodgers with his problems as the Asian Cup draws near. Rodgers’ summer additions from Rangers have not yet found their calling at Ibrox. For the tournament in January, Kyogo Furuhashi and Hyeongyu Oh appear certain to be called up by Japan and South Korea, respectively, and Brendan Rodgers has openly acknowledged that he might try to sign a striker to cover for them.
“If he was playing for a Celtic or Rangers, he would be in the (Scotland) squad constantly,” Grant stated on the Go Radio Football Show. Although I believe that he has improved overall at Hearts, I’m happy to see him back scoring goals because that is what he does so brilliantly.”
“I think he has matured into a very good center-forward,” Ferguson added in response. He’s developed into a truly outstanding center-forward. Not only are his goals important, but so is his overall play.”
Ferguson continued, when asked if he might be Philippe Clement’s Christmas present, “I think there will be interest in him.” Whether it’s Celtic, Rangers, or something else entirely. Of course, I would be observing him.”
Grant, a former Celtics hero, chimed in, saying, “You can’t follow a goal scorer; you need one if you want to win competitions.” Consider the Celtic situation involving Sunday’s Kyogo incident; according to protocol, he might miss weeks of play. Although Oh has performed incredibly well and puts in a lot of effort, these teams have always had players who can score four goals on six attempts.”
When pressed about the Asian Cup scenario, Grant continued, saying, “When you talk about strikers who play for Celtic and Rangers, that’s where I think he’s at that level.” When the Rangers finally made a move, Ferguson concluded, “I think there will be interest in him.”
