- Cillian Sheridan calls Lawrence Shankland an “easy signing” for Rangers ahead of medical.
- Shankland set to complete move to Ibrox after strong Hearts captaincy spell.
- Former Celtic star says striker’s development makes Rangers transfer a natural progression.
Former Celtic striker Cillian Sheridan believes Lawrence Shankland’s expected move to Rangers has felt inevitable for several seasons, insisting the Ibrox club should perhaps have signed the striker much earlier.
Shankland is expected to complete his Rangers medical today ahead of a move to Ibrox.
The Scotland international set to become one of the headline additions of Danny Rohl’s summer rebuild.
The Hearts captain arrives at Ibrox following another influential spell at Tynecastle, where his goalscoring record and leadership role significantly enhanced his reputation within Scottish football.
He also led the Jambos to within minutes of the Premiership title last season. Hearts topping the table for 250 days before a final day defeat to Celtic.
Lawrence Shankland ready for Rangers move
Sheridan believes that evolution into a more complete forward is one of the key reasons Rangers now view him as such a strong fit.
“Growing into the captain’s role at Hearts, I feel like his all-round game has come on leaps and bounds,” Sheridan said on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard.
“I don’t know if that’s maybe part of the pressure of you’re there to lead by example. It’s not just a case of just being a goal scorer.”
Dressing room leader
Beyond his finishing ability, Rangers are understood to value his leadership qualities and experience within the Premiership.
The club are currently attempting to reshape dressing-room standards following a disappointing campaign.
Sheridan believes the scrutiny Shankland experienced as Hearts captain may also prove valuable in preparing him for the heightened demands at Ibrox.
“I feel like his all-round game has come on so much. I think this season will have helped him in terms of you’re the captain where the spotlight was on the team for a full season,” he continued.
“Generally, Hearts aren’t really going to be the main story of a season.
“So, I think that might give him a little bit of experience in terms of going to a bigger club where there’s going to be a lot more eyes and a lot more pressure.”
Lawrence Shankland an ‘easy signing’ for Rangers to make
While some transfers to Rangers often divide opinion externally, Sheridan believes Shankland’s proposed arrival has generated unusually broad approval.
“But I thought it was an easy signing for Rangers,” he added.
“The only thing you’d maybe look at is why it’s taken them up until now to sign him.”
Readrangers.com analysis – Jack Cranmer
That sentiment reflects a long-standing debate among Rangers supporters.
Many of the Ibrox faithful have argued for several years that Shankland represented one of the clearest domestic solutions available to the club.
Sheridan himself suggested the move has appeared increasingly obvious over time.
“I feel like he was always there,” he explained. “He was crying out for them to sign him over the last few seasons and it’ll be a massive blow to Hearts.
“I don’t know maybe if they were expecting it knowing that that clause was there the whole time.
“But Rangers have taken advantage of it. He probably maybe had one eye on the move in the summer to put a clause like that into the deal.
“But it looks like he’s got what he wants.”
With the medical now taking place and final formalities nearing completion, Rangers appear close to securing a signing many within Scottish football believe has been years in the making.
