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.
He said: "They wouldn't be able to afford him! I can tell you that right now. Not a chance. No price, he's not for sale. Shanks is not going anywhere. Shanks is going to get 30-odd goals for us this season and become an absolute Hearts legend, that's the plan!”
Laudrup had said: “I’m interested in the idea of how the 27-year-old might handle a step into the Old Firm environment if the opportunity arose in the future. It’s all hypothetical, of course. But I see a lot to like about Shankland and evidence he could go on even further in his career.”
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