Lawrence Shankland has been in sensational form for Dundee United (Getty Images)
Former Rangers star Andy Halliday has urged the Scottish giants to make a move for Dundee United forward Lawrence Shankland in the summer, as per Daily Record.
Shankland, 24, came through the youth ranks of Bannerman High School and joined Queen’s Park FC’s youth system before joining Aberdeen in the summer of 2013. However, he could manage just 17 appearances and was sent on loan spells.
He has featured for several clubs including Dunfermline Athletic, St. Mirren and Greenock Morton before being released by Aberdeen FC in May 2017.
Two months later, he was joined Ayr United and became an instant hit at Somerset Park. In his two years with the club, Shankland made 73 appearances, scoring a whopping 63 goals and providing 24 assists before joining Dundee United on a free transfer last summer.
The striker has been in sensational form in the last three seasons and is one of the best forwards in the Scottish championship. He has gone from strength to strength and has attracted a lot of interest from top clubs. The Scottish international also finished as the top scorer of the Championship when the season came to an abrupt end as his team finished at the top of the league table.
At this time, Rangers have just three centre-forwards in their ranks. Colombian international Alfredo Morelos has been brilliant throughout the campaign, scoring 29 goals in 46 games across all competitions.
And Jermain Defoe, who just made a permanent switch to Ibrox, racked up 17 goals in 32 games. Both of them have done a decent job but couldn’t help their side beat Celtic to the league title.
The other striker available at Steven Gerrard’s disposal is Greg Stewart. The former Birmingham man has managed to score 3 goals in 16 league games this term. However, the manager needs to bring in fresh faces to the squad for the future as Morelos is linked with a move away from the club.
English veteran Defoe is already 37 and has just one year left in his contract with the Gers. The same is the case with Stewart. Thus, to improve their attacking unit, a centre-forward is a must in the summer.
To that end, signing Shankland would be a boost for the squad. The youngster has been in sensational form and has racked up 28 goals in 33 games across all competitions, with 24 of them coming in the league.
Given his recent form, where he has scored more than 20 goals in each of the last three league campaigns, he could be a valuable addition to Gerrard’s squad. In 253 career appearances, he has scored a staggering 128 goals and could only get better under proper guidance. And joining Rangers would help him take his game to the next level.
With Morelos on the brink of an exit and Defoe and Stewart reaching the twilight of their career, it is necessary for Rangers to reinforce their attack. And Shankland, who is just 24, could provide them with the depth and quality up front. Thus, the Gers should manage to lure the Scottish international to Ibrox this summer.
