Barry Ferguson is certain Rangers will be keeping a close eye on Lawrence Shankland after his stunning Hearts goal return to date.
Robbie Neilson made a big push to sign the Scotland international this summer and he's been rewarded and more with 18 goals in all competitions at this stage of the season - including 15 Premiership strikes. The hitman has also been handed the captaincy at the capital club until the summer following Craig Gordon's horror double leg-break.
Alfredo Morelos is out of contract in the summer at Rangers and one who could move on, leaving just Antonio Colak and Kemar Roofe at Michael Beale's disposal. Ferguson is a big fan of the latter but his injury history is a concern for the Ibrox legend who believes another striker would be needed. He reckons the Light Blues don't need to look further than Edinburgh with Ferguson waxing lyrical about the hitman.
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Speaking on Go Radio, he said: "18 goals including the cups, what a return that is.
"He knows where the back of the net is. He does the hardest part of the game, no doubt about it. He's a player I love to see.
"I think he's been a brilliant signing for Hearts. He's one that I'm sure Rangers will be keeping an eye on because goalscorers are hard to find.
"If Morelos does go, you've got Colak and Roofe. Roofe for me is a really good player but there are injury concerns, so you need another striker.
"One thing Lawrence Shankland can do in the Scottish league is put the ball in the back of the net and that's been proven this season. It's a brilliant return.
"He's a proper penalty box striker. He can get involved in the build-up play but normally he'll get it, lay it off and his first thought is 'I'm getting in that box."
Celtic legend Peter Grant is also a fan of the Hearts star, he added: "I've always said Shankland is one of these guys that if you put the ball in the box, he's a finisher.
"The most difficult job in the world is to put the ball in the back of the net but if you keep getting chances, and you'd think you're going to get more chances at Rangers.
"The way Hearts plays with the wing-backs suits him, getting early crosses in and Lawrence plays in the middle of the goal and he finishes them and he's playing really, really confidently."
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