Lawrence Shankland set to leave Hearts to join Rangers in shock transfer

€3m market value 

Lawrence Shankland is poised to complete a shock transfer to join Rangers from Scottish Premiership title runners-up Hearts in the coming days. The Scot scored 16 league goals as part of Derek McInnes’ side’s unexpected title charge, which ultimately fell short on the final day after a controversial 3-1 defeat to champions Celtic. But the striker is now set to depart for their Glaswegian rivals Rangers, who have moved quickly to complete a deal before the 2026 World Cup.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on X.com, the paperwork for the deal has been signed and Shankland is ‘set to be announced’ as a new Rangers player in the near future. Shankland’s current deal expires in June 2028 after renewing his contract in July, so there will likely be a significant transfer fee exchanged between the clubs.

Shankland, who has a market value of €3 million, will link up with another former Hearts player, John Souttar, who also made the move from Edinburgh to Glasgow on a free transfer four years ago.

Rangers head coach Danny Röhl has opted to strengthen his frontline despite Youssef Chermiti’s impressive goalscoring exploits this term, and few could blame the German for plumping for Shankland. An experienced striker with international pedigree, Shankland has proved to be a thorn in the side for his new club, bagging four goals in three appearances against them in 2025/26.

The 30-year-old scored both goals in the 2-0 win over Rangers at Ibrox on September 13 and put them to the sword again as Hearts won the return fixture 2-1. After the top six split, Shankland continued his impressive run with another goal in the 2-1 win on May 4, which effectively ended the Gers’ title challenge. Now, he will be attempting to help them challenge again in 2026/27 after watching their bitter rivals Celtic triumph on the final day.