Lawrence Shankland would hit Rangers double figures as Ibrox favourite dreams of ‘next level’ double act

Mark Hateley reckons Philippe Clement should sign Fabio Silva permanently to partner Shankland next season.

If Lawrence Shankland signs with Rangers in January after leaving Hearts, Mark Hateley believes he may score ten goals for the team.

The important Jambos captain is approaching the last 18 months of his current contract in the capital, and Hateley is just one of several prominent analysts who have recommended that Philippe Clement try to sign the player during this transfer window.

The Scotland international has scored six goals in his previous five games, giving him 17 goals this season in all competitions.

Fabio Silva has already arrived from Wolves on loan until the summer to add firepower to the Ibrox side. Danilo is out with a long-term injury with Cyriel Dessers used as the main man in attack in recent weeks.

He’s yet to really hit the ground running with Abdallah Sima – who is heading to the African Cup of Nations with Senegal – chipping in with 14 goals with nine of those coming in the league.

Hateley acknowledges that he would sign BOTH players if given the option. With both players joining, he thinks Rangers will advance to a higher level, with Clement “holding all the cards” on the board following his spectacular debut as Michael Beale’s replacement.

Hateley stated, “Rangers are linked with Lawrence Shankland and Fabio Silva,” in an interview with NewBettingOffers.

Given that Shankland’s contract expires in the summer, I believe they would have a better chance of obtaining him if they could only choose one. Shankland will certainly reach double figures before the season ends if he signs with the Rangers in January.

“If given the choice to sign both, I would sign both! Wolves were silly to let Silva go out on loan at the moment because they are on a good run.

It’s all about what you can get rather than what you want, but I think Rangers can and should sign both of them. After all, Silva’s loan expires at the end of the season. It would take them to the next level.

“If you asked Philippe Clement what he wanted he would probably ask for a player in every position so he has two quality players in each area of the pitch, but they’re not at that stage right now.

He’s already making strides in making the board confident enough in him to sit down with him and listen to what he wants – he is holding all the cards at the moment.”

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