Lawrence Shankland would hit Rangers double figures as Ibrox favourite dreams of 'next level' double act

Mark Hateley reckons Lawrence Shankland would bag double figures for Rangers if he signs from Hearts in January.

The influential Jambos skipper has entered the final 18 months of his current deal in the capital and Hateley is just one a number of high profile pundits to have pinpointed the player as one Philippe Clement should try and snap up in this window. The Scotland international has 17 goals in all competitions so far this season with six goals in his last five outings.

Fabio Silva has already arrived from Wolves on loan until the summer to add firepower to the Ibrox side. Danilo is out with a long-term injury with Cyriel Dessers used as the main man in attack in recent weeks. He's yet to really hit the ground running with Abdallah Sima - who is heading to the African Cup of Nations with Senegal - chipping in with 14 goals with nine of those coming in the league.

Hateley admits if he was given the choice to sign BOTH players he would make it happen. He believes the addition of the duo would take Rangers to the next level with Clement 'holding all the cards' with the board after his excellent start to life as Michael Beale's successor.

Speaking to NewBettingOffers, Hateley said: “Rangers are linked with Lawrence Shankland and Fabio Silva. If they were only going to get one of them, I think they have more chance of securing Shankland, with him being out of contract next summer. If Shankland joins Rangers in January then he will reach double figures before the end of the season, easily.

“If given the choice to sign both, I would sign both! Wolves were silly to let Silva go out on loan at the moment because they are on a good run. It’s all about what you can get rather than what you want, but I think Rangers can