Former Hearts striker Ryan Stevenson worries how the club would cope if they were to lose their captain Lawrence Shankland.
The Scotland international is set to join Rangers after consistently being linked with a move to Ibrox in recent years.
Advertisement
Shankland led Hearts to second place this season, with the Tynecastle side missing out on the title to Celtic on the final day. Since joining in 2022, the forward has scored 88 goals in 171 appearances.
“Straight away, you’re losing 20 to 30 goals a season if Shankland leaves,” Stevenson told BBC Scotland. “You’re losing your captain, who is pivotal on and off the park.
“One of Hearts’ title rivals is potentially taking their best player. It’s a bitter blow. They’re going to somehow have to try to replace him and I just don’t see how Hearts do that.
“They need to find solutions, maybe that’s signing two players. They are going to have to put their money where their mouth is.”
Advertisement
Stevenson also feels Shankland could take the captain’s armband for Rangers with James Tavernier departing Ibrox after 11 years.
“From Rangers’ point of view, what a signing,” he said.
“I would be very surprised if he wasn’t in with a shout of being Rangers captain too, with Tavernier leaving.
“I think he would score more goals for Rangers than he does for Hearts. If it goes through, it’s a tremendous signing for Rangers.”
