Rangers manager makes ‘Messi and Mbappe’ statement as he discusses Rangers’ £3 million aim.

Rangers manager Philippe Clement is cautious of the threat offered by Ibrox-linked Lawrence Shankland against

Hearts, but he will take a similar approach as when he faced Paris Saint-Germain’s superstar frontline.

Ahead of Saturday’s meeting at Ibrox – Rangers are top of the table for the first time in 18 months – Clement is trying

to strike a balance between keeping the Hearts talisman at arm’s length and allowing the home side to go about their business.

According to reporter Peter O’Rourke, Lawrence Shankland was on Rangers’ radar during the January transfer

window. This season, he has 25 goals in all competitions.

18 of those have come from the Scottish Premiership. In the Golden Boot competition, he leads Rangers’ best league

striker, penalty specialist James Tavernier, with six goals.

Clement, on the other hand, has much experience preparing his squad for success against a prolific attacker. While in

Monaco, he faced three of the best drivers of the contemporary age.

Rangers take on Lawrence Shankland’s Hearts.

“(Stopping Shankland) is important because he has scored more than 50 per cent of their goals,” Clement said. “That is a lot of points if you consider the entire season.

“(But it is vital to) not just focus on him and ignore everything else. Because then, other guys will make a difference.

We never approach games with the intention of focusing on a single player.

“Last year, my team faced (Lionel) Messi, Neymar, and (Kylian) Mbappe in the same game. However,

we were not focused on them. We were focused on our path. How we should play and stop them,

while simultaneously using them to attack. That worked well.

“It is always my philosophy to be more focused on ourselves.”

Clement upset PSG last season

In 2022/23, Clement’s Monaco took four points from PSG, drawing 1-1 at the Parc des Princes before winning 3-1 in the Principality,

thanks to Mbappe, Neymar, and Messi’s lack of defensive effort, which allowed Les Monegasques to create a

numerical advantage and overwhelm their deep-pocketed opponents in the final third.

That tactical acumen explains why Rangers, who are presently in pole position for the title, have undergone such a

transformation since Clement succeeded Mick Beale at Ibrox.

Shankland, whose contract expires in 2025, is reportedly valued by Hearts at approximately £3 million. Rangers,

however, have their own in-form centre forward in Cyriel Dessers.

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