While some have speculated that Rangers may be unable to pay the sum required to bring the 28-year-old out of Tynecastle in January, Sunday Mail chief football writer Guidi remains optimistic that a deal can be completed.Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show (2 January, 20:45), he stated: “First and foremost, Rangers must agree on a deal with Hearts. It is achievable, but keep in mind that James Anderson will come in to help Hearts in certain circumstances.

“If it means a fresh contract for Lawrence Shankland to put anything to rest.

Even if he signs a new contract and is sold in the summer,

you fatten him up. Shankland would be drawn to Rangers if the teams agreed on a deal,

but how much game time will he get?

“At the present, you’d have him in the Scotland team to go to Germany;

who knows what the case will be five months from now.

Rangers need a new number nine.

That is now a non-negotiable at ibrox, as supporters, commentators,

and most likely Philippe Clement agree that the existing choices in the Belgian team are insufficient to help the Gers win the Premiership.

Shankland appears to offer a solution to all of the Light Blues’ difficulties,

having been a steady source of goals throughout his career in Scotland,

and he would most certainly strike the ground running upon coming at Ibrox.

The deal may be extremely expensive to complete because Hearts are reluctant to sell their star player,

but that should not deter Rangers because the fee would guarantee success.

The best players will also cost slightly more than the other selections.

If the deal is “doable,” as Guidi has suggested, Rangers cannot pass it up,

and they must now put the process in motion to sign the Scotland international this month.

In other Rangers news, the Gers have suffered a severe blow to their title chances as Celtic gained a new boost in January.

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