Arabic version: رانجرز قريبون من التعاقد مع قائد هارتس لورانس شانكلاند

Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland is close to joining Scottish Premiership rivals Rangers. The 30-year-old Scotland forward is set to become Danny Rohl’s first summer signing, following a successful season where he led Hearts to a second-place finish, narrowly missing out on the title to Celtic.

Since arriving at Hearts in 2022, Shankland has made a significant impact, scoring 88 goals in 171 appearances. He ranks fourth in all-time Premiership goals since the league’s establishment in 2013, with 77 goals, just behind former Rangers player Alfredo Morelos. Overall, Shankland boasts a career tally of 236 goals across 494 club matches.

According to BBC News, negotiations between Rangers and Hearts are advancing quickly, although a medical examination and final agreement are still pending. Shankland’s return from holiday suggests that an official announcement could be imminent.

The potential transfer has raised concerns for Hearts, who would not only lose their captain but also their leading scorer. Former Hearts player Ryan Stevenson expressed worries about the club’s ability to replace Shankland, emphasizing the loss of 20 to 30 goals a season. Stevenson speculated that Shankland could even take over the captaincy at Rangers following James Tavernier’s departure after 11 years at Ibrox.

If the transfer goes through, it would mark a significant move for both Shankland and Rangers, enhancing the team’s attacking options for the upcoming season. Shankland’s prolific scoring record and leadership qualities make him an ideal candidate to fill the void left by Tavernier, should the deal be finalized.