Lawrence Shankland to Rangers transfer debate sparks heated 'brains' question as glowing Kris Boyd contrast floated

Barry Ferguson has leapt to the defence of Lawrence Shankland during an on-air debate over if the Hearts captain could move to Rangers.

Shankland was the hero for Scotland in the Euro 2024 qualifier as the striker climbed off the bench to rescue a point in Euro 2024 qualification for Steve Clarke's side - which will only see the Jambos increase their valuation of their star man and stand-in captain with January window approaching. With both the Light Blues and Celtic looking to add more firepower this winter Shankland has found himself at the top of the talking points amid an impressive run of form for Hearts.

But an unimpressed caller to the Go Radio Football Show went in two-footed on the Hearts fan favourite as he insisted Shankland was not good enough to play for either Glasgow giant. Irked Derek blasted: "You are saying £3million - he is not worth £3million. He scored 14 penalties - and only 10 goals from open play. It's not that good a return.

"He is at a bang average team and he is a bang average player, and he wouldn't get into Rangers or Celtic. I don't think he has the brains to play in that space, I don't think he is good enough."

But Ferguson issued a blunt response to the heated verdict: "I disagree. I think Lawrence Shankland would be good enough to play for Rangers.

"In the past Rangers have signed players from Scottish clubs. Kris Boyd, Steven Naismith, Billy Dodds, Kenny Miller - I'm not saying he is as good as them but he has certainly improved. For me he is a goalscorer. And no disrespect to Hearts - but he will get more goals and more opportunities player for a better team that score more. I do think he would be a good player for Rangers."