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Russell Martin’s Transfer Dilemma Deepens as Shankland Snub Forces Rangers to Rethink Striker Plans
Russell Martin may be forced to block Rangers sporting director Kevin Thelwell from completing a major summer striker sale, following Lawrence Shankland’s decision to commit his future to Hearts.
The Rangers boss is focused on assembling a title-challenging squad as he prepares for a fierce battle with Celtic in the Scottish Premiership. Shankland had been consistently linked with a move to Ibrox, especially after his Hearts contract expired but that speculation is now over.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Shankland is set to sign a new deal at Tynecastle, turning down lucrative overseas offers to continue under Derek McInnes. That development leaves Rangers scrambling for attacking options amid growing uncertainty around Cyriel Dessers and Hamza Igamane.
Dessers has attracted interest from AEK Athens, though no agreement has been reached. Meanwhile, talks over Igamane’s transfer to Lille appear more advanced, potentially leaving Martin short up front. The club’s American investors, including Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises, may also consider retaining one of the two strikers to preserve squad depth and protect financial investments.
Rangers have already made strides in strengthening the squad elsewhere. Joe Rothwell’s arrival is nearing completion, with the midfielder set for a medical. Lyall Cameron has officially joined from Dundee, while Max Aarons was the first summer signing, arriving on loan from Bournemouth. Defender Conor Coady is also a reported target.
Still, Martin faces mounting pressure to recruit a new striker. Dessers has struggled with inconsistency, and with Shankland no longer a viable option, Rangers may need to shift focus toward signing a younger, high-upside forward who can replace Igamane and compete for a starting role next season.
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