Barry Ferguson has revealed Lawrence Shankland was his No.1 transfer target for Rangers a year before the striker’s eventual move to Ibrox, saying the deal was “an absolute no brainer”.
The former captain and coach believes the club missed a major opportunity to land the Scotland striker earlier and admits he was left puzzled when a move failed to materialise, despite Shankland’s proven goal record and suitability for the demands at Ibrox.
Ferguson said: “I drew up a list of targets. It was my list, nobody else’s. And the name of Lawrence Shankland was right at the top as the priority No.1. A free transfer and an absolute no brainer. There wasn’t even the slightest element of a gamble to it. It was just a signing that had to happen. [Daily Record]
“I left a few weeks later and the people who were in charge are the only ones who can explain why Lawrence slipped through the net. But I never understood why they didn’t see what I saw in Lawrence.”
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Pointing to his form at Hearts, Ferguson added: “He’s just banged home another 20 goals despite being out injured for ten weeks of the season. Most strikers are either goal poachers or good link-up players. But Lawrence can do the full package.
"He’s never been lightning quick but he makes up for that with his game intelligence, his strength and the most important thing of all, he puts the ball in the back of the net.”
Ferguson also praised Shankland’s mentality after hearing his first interview as a Rangers player. He said: “I listened to it twice and I thought he was just about word perfect in everything he said. There was a real sense of maturity about him.
“He said, ‘I want to be remembered as a successful Rangers player’. I love that attitude. I am absolutely convinced he’ll grasp this opportunity with everything he has.”
