“Believe it or not Shankland is Ibrox-Bound” – See Where Lawrence Shankland was Spotted as Rumours of Transfer Now Far From Rumours But True

Shankland Spotted with Tavernier as Rangers Links Intensify Ahead of Summer Move

Rangers fans could be forgiven for reading between the lines this week, after club captain James Tavernier was pictured training alongside reported transfer target Lawrence Shankland – adding fuel to mounting speculation about a summer switch to Ibrox.

The image, shared on Tavernier’s Instagram story on Wednesday (19 June), shows the full-back and Shankland working out with elite performance coach Chris Bowman, alongside Newcastle United’s Kieran Trippier. While it’s not unusual to see players training together during the off-season, the timing – and the company – hasn’t gone unnoticed among the Rangers faithful.

With Russell Martin expected to oversee a significant summer rebuild in his first window at Ibrox, Shankland has emerged as a prominent name on the radar. The Hearts forward, out of contract at the end of June, is attracting interest from several clubs, with West Brom, Southampton, and Hull City also reportedly keen on his services. But the sight of the 29-year-old striker training with Rangers’ skipper will only heighten speculation that a move across the M8 is edging closer.

Shankland, who netted eight goals and registered eight assists in 32 Scottish Premiership appearances last season, endured a dip in his usual prolific standards, but his overall contribution remains valuable. According to Sofascore, his goal conversion rate stood at nine per cent, with an average of 38.3 touches and 16.4 accurate passes per game.

Despite that modest return, the striker’s long-term output in Scottish football is hard to ignore. With 53 goals and 21 assists across 138 top-flight appearances, and five separate 20+ goal seasons in league football – two of those in the Premiership – Shankland’s track record suggests he still has plenty to offer, especially in a side that dominates possession and chances like Rangers.

His potential arrival could also offer Russell Martin a proven domestic option to support or compete with his current forward line, as the club prepares for Champions League qualifiers and a domestic title challenge.

The 29-year-old, born in Glasgow, would represent a shrewd acquisition on a free transfer should Rangers push ahead with a formal offer – particularly as the Ibrox side looks to make the most of a reported £20million transfer budget this summer under new leadership.

Whether the image with Tavernier was a simple pre-season session or a sign of things to come, the connection between the two players – now out in the open – has certainly set tongues wagging in Glasgow.

For now, Rangers fans will have to wait and see if the summer selfie evolves into a full unveiling. But the sight of Shankland in blue, even in training gear, has already sparked intrigue.