Hearts sporting director Joe Savage claimed Rangers “couldn’t afford” Hearts hitman Lawrence Shankland as he issued a hands-off warning over the Tynecastle striker he insists will go down in Gorgie folklore.
The 27-year-old has hit the 20-goal mark this season - the first Jambos frontman to do that since legendary marksman John Robertson 31 years ago - and that had seen him linked with a potential move away. Former Ibrox star Brian Laudrup floated the idea of a move to Rangers, writing in his Daily Mail column on transfer deadline day.
But the window shut with in-form Shankland, who has a contract with Hearts until 2025 after signing at the start of the season in a six-figure move from Belgian side Beerschot, and recruitment chief Savage responded to speculation of a move to Rangers - who face Shankland and Hearts on Wednesday night - during an interview with BBC Scotland.