When it looked as though Jermain Defoe wasn’t going to sign a contract extension, Vital Rangers assessed who could fill the role that the former England striker does so well.
Not playing every week isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but then again, if a player is offered a step up, the chance to win trophies and play in the Champions League then negotiations can become a lot easier.
With this in mind, Lawrence Shankland was identified as a possible long-term replacement, not to lead the line every week but when others need to be rotated or in cup games against “lesser” opposition, as a Scotland international, he is more than adequate to fill that role – he is also a known Gers fan.
He’s the sort of player that I wouldn’t want us to pay a fee for and, thankfully, we might not have to after the Dundee United’s star man confessed that he is in no rush to extend his deal at Tannadice, as reported by The Scottish Sun:
“From a selfish point of view, I will be in a good position if I have a good six months at the start of the season.
“I am not going to say I am going to jump in right away and then sign a new deal.
“I think it is something you need to look at, but you need to look at all your options and that is something I will do.”
At this stage, all it would take is a phone call to his agent from Ross Wilson saying that we might be interested when the January transfer window comes around, for me, it makes sense, he would add decent depth without costing a fortune – as I said, it’s not easy trying to sign players who know they will be down the pecking order, but if it is their boyhood dream to turnout in front of 50,000 fans every other week, it makes things an awful lot easier.