Steven Naismith bangs drum for Shankland to Rangers move

Lawrence Shankland in action for Hearts at Ibrox. <i>(Image: SNS Group)</i>
Lawrence Shankland in action for Hearts at Ibrox. (Image: SNS Group)
This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald.

Steven Naismith is surprised that Rangers have never moved to sign Lawrence Shankland.

The former Heart of Midlothian manager contributed to 63 goals across a five-year spell at Ibrox.

Naismith worked with Shankland at Tynecastle and thinks he would fit seamlessly into life in Govan and could play a similar role for Russell Martin as Kris Boyd did under the great Walter Smith.

"In one respect, I'm surprised [Rangers haven't made a move for Shankland]," he said.

"I'm surprised because I think he's as safe a bet as you're going to get to scoring goals in Scotland. I think what goes against him is probably his mobility and people looking at him. But for me, he's a really intelligent player now.


Read more:


"He's a good link between midfield and attack as well as a goal scorer. The other dynamic which I think would probably come into any thought of signing him is his age.

"He's somebody who's probably seen in and around his prime. I've seen it with Kris Boyd at Rangers, who was probably similar in terms of their goal return. Walter Smith never played him in Europe and never played him in Old Firms.

"But Walter Smith was a manager with loads of experience and knew how to handle him. Now I'm not saying Shanks is like-for-like but those are the kind of challenges that you have to think [about].

"I know in one respect it's on a free transfer. But I'm sure Shanks will definitely have some offers because for two seasons he's been unbelievable.

"He's really intelligent. Where he picks positions up, his touch. He's got a real finesse about his touch. And then he's got that calmness in the final third that makes him different.

"So, I definitely think he could fit in. He fits a lot of the criteria."

Shankland has scored 40 goals in his previous two seasons at Hearts. Currently out of contract, it remains to be seen where his future lies.

The centre-forward is more than familiar with Rangers and having a key core of players who understand the club, its values, and the unrelenting demand for success, is crucial, according to Naismith.

"If you look at the most successful Celtic and Rangers teams, they've had a core group of British players, players that have grown up with an affiliation," he added.

"You cannot underestimate how valuable that is. And that's not just guys that start every week. That's guys within the squad that will do anything to be part of the squad. And they might just be coming in as squad players, but a lot of the guys grab the opportunity and take it."

Get involved
with the news

Send your news & photos