Hearts manager Neil Critchley believes his side were the better team, despite Rangers recording a 3-1 victory at Tynecastle. The Jambos boss makes a fair point: without the “magnificent” display from Jack Butland, Philippe Clement could be facing even more protests at Ibrox.
Critchley’s remarks also shed light on the wasteful nature of the Hearts attacking unit, which squandered several chances against Rangers. They underscore that, despite the club’s recent transfer missteps, avoiding a ransom demand over Lawrence Shankland was likely the right decision.
While it was striker Elton Kabangu who missed the majority of chances in the game against Rangers, Lawrence Shankland also failed to find the target. The 29-year-old Scotland international, long linked with a move to Rangers, has seen his form plummet at Tynecastle this season. Now nearing the end of his Hearts contract, Shankland—who was named Scotland’s Player of the Year last season—has been unable to replicate his previous success. After a stinging drive that beat Jack Butland’s glove against Rangers, the forward managed only four goals this season—a steep decline from the 31 he scored last year.
Shankland, a lifelong supporter of Rangers, has been a frequent target of transfer speculation, with many Ibrox fans still discussing the possibility of him joining once his contract expires this summer. It isn’t an entirely far-fetched idea; the striker has overcome goal droughts in the past and has proven his scoring ability in the Scottish Premiership. However, the failure to secure his signature last January is often cited as one reason why Rangers’ title challenge faltered. With injuries to Danilo and Kemar Roofe leaving Rangers short in the final third, the club refused to be held to ransom over Shankland, with Tynecastle CEO Andrew McKinlay noting that it would have cost at least £4.5m last winter.
Given Shankland’s dramatic decline in form this season, Rangers can feel confident that they avoided meeting those hefty demands. Although the title slipped from their grasp—and adding to their woes, Fabio Silva had to play out on the left due to injuries—the club now has even more reason to be pleased with their decision.
