Rangers are willing to set a world record to sign SPFL most lethal attacker – Negotiations already in place agent confirms

Rangers are willing to set a world record to sign SPFL most lethal attacker – Negotiations already in place agent confirms

LAWRENCE SHANKLAND has informed Hearts that he will not be signing a new contract.

The Jambos have made two offers to the 22-goal striker, who has 18 months left on his present contract.

However, chief executive Andrew McKinlay said that the Scotland star’s representation have rejected both.

Shankland, 28, reiterated following Saturday’s victory over Dundee, where he scored twice, that he is content at Hearts.

And Jambos chiefs are hoping that he would change his mind and sign a new contract to stay at Tynecastle.

McKinlay stated, “Any deal we’ve put on the table, we’ve been told would be unacceptable to the player, so that’s where they sit.

The deadline has passed, thus there is nothing on the table at the moment.

“Does that mean no more ongoing chats? I’m certain there will be, but who knows?

“We’re glad we got through this phase. We made what we felt were quite good offers.

“You cannot compel someone to stay. If a player wishes, he or she may terminate their contract. Right now, I think we’re all drawing a line under this.”

McKinlay, on the other hand, declined to rule out the possibility of both parties returning to the negotiation table in the future, with Hearts anxious to keep their talisman.

He said, “You never say never; Lawrence’s agents may come and chat with us.

“From my perspective, this chapter has come to an end, and all we need to do now is stay in third position. Hopefully, we can just get on with football and play.”

Shankland has been linked with a move to Rangers during the summer season.

However, McKinlay felt sure that a Scottish record transfer was never in the cards.

He continued, “I didn’t think we’d get a proposal from anyone.

“Now, I’m not sure if that’s because we stated that it would require an outstanding price. I have no idea.

“But you still get to transfer deadline day, and you worry whether anyone will come in with even a stupid  bid, or throw something in — but absolutely nothing.

“We’re thrilled because, as we stated from the start, we wanted to keep Lawrence. And we were able to accomplish it.

“It’s great that we’ve got him for at least another 18 months, and we’ll see how things pan out.”

When asked if he had a price in mind, McKinlay replied, “There were some numbers.” And those statistics, without going into detail, were based on what would happen if we sold Lawrence and did not qualify for group stage football in Europe.

“We know exactly how much that is worth, so it has to be in that range and higher for it to make sense.

“That’s not to say we wouldn’t have finished third without Lawrence, but it would have been a significant risk.

“People forget that the Scottish transfer record between Scottish clubs is £4.5 million, which Scott Brown set a few years ago.

“It would have to be bigger than that.

“Did we expect the Scottish transfer record to be broken?” I do not think so.

“There was never any real hint that it was going to be.”

McKinlay, speaking at the unveiling of Hearts’ new Tynecastle Park Hotel, also indicated that negotiations to keep Craig Gordon and Beni Baningime were underway.

He continued, “We are in talks with Craig. I don’t think that one will be too tough to resolve.

“As for Beni, we believe we are close to completing that as well.

“Hopefully, we can have them sorted out soon.

“Beni is an excellent man. He is a highly intelligent person, therefore he would never say, ‘That’s OK’.

“He wants to think about it and consider all of his alternatives. He takes a lot of advise from both his agent and his family.

“He’s really family-oriented, so that’s just OK. But I am hopeful that we will have that resolved fairly shortly.”

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