Rangers told to sign Lawrence Shankland and win the title as Philippe Clement assured striker would score 'barrel load'

Alan Hutton urged the Rangers board to splash the cash on Lawrence Shankland and let him fire Philippe Clement to the title.

The former Rangers star made his call as it emerged Gers could soon be freeing up squad space, with Dutch outfit Utrecht ready to take misfit playmaker Sam Lammers off the Light Blues’ hands. That could potentially clear the way for Clement to go after Shankland and Hutton reckons it’s a move his old side have to make.

The retired right-back insists Rangers are a prolific striker away from knocking Celtic off their perch at the top of the Premiership in the second half of the season. And, despite the loan signing of Fabio Silva from Wolves, he’s convinced Shankland is the man who could make all the difference as this season’s top flight race goes down to the wire. The Hearts skipper is at the centre of mounting transfer speculation as he enters the final 18 months of his Tynecastle contract. And Hutton says one big push from Rangers could be enough to help new boss Clement wipe the floor with his city rivals between now and May.

Asked if Shankland’s goals might take Rangers back to the top, he said: “Absolutely. Just look at what he’s done in previous seasons. He got 28 goals last year and he’s scoring now.

“He popped up with an important goal for Scotland. He’s a leader within that Hearts team as well He would give Rangers something a little bit different. He knows the league inside out and knows he can score against all these teams.

“It’s difficult for me to sit here and talk about him when he’s at a different club but, in my opinion, someone like that, if he’s playing with Rangers, and the opportunities he’s going to get? He could score a barrel load.”

Cyriel Dessers has been left to shoulder