Why Celtic Were Right to Avoid Lawrence Shankland and Why Hearts Have Blundered
Lawrence Shankland’s struggles this season have only reinforced why Celtic were right to steer clear of him in previous transfer windows. While there was a time when some argued he could be a solid goal-scoring option in the Scottish Premiership, his drastic drop in form this season highlights why signing him—especially for a significant fee—would have been a mistake.
For a club like Celtic, where expectations go beyond simply scoring goals against domestic opposition, a striker must be more than just a penalty-box poacher. They need to be technically sound, link up play effectively, press with intelligence, and—crucially—step up on the European stage. Shankland has never consistently demonstrated those qualities. His impressive 31-goal campaign last season always felt like an outlier rather than a sign that he had taken his game to another level. Now, with only four goals this season, that assessment appears to be spot on.
The Shankland Hype Was Always Overblown
At 29 years old, Shankland is not a young striker developing his game—he is at his peak, and if anything, his form this season suggests he may already be on the decline. When a striker has a one-off high-scoring season, the real test is whether they can sustain it or even come close to replicating those numbers. The fact that Shankland’s goal tally has fallen off a cliff this campaign suggests that last season was more of a statistical anomaly rather than evidence that he was at an elite level.
He has always been a good finisher, but the best strikers in the game find ways to score even when their team is struggling. Shankland has not been able to do that for Hearts this season. Instead, he has looked far less clinical, less confident, and unable to carry the burden of being Hearts’ main attacking outlet. That raises serious doubts about whether he could have coped with the pressure of leading the line for a club like Celtic or Rangers.
Even if Celtic had ever been tempted to look at him as a depth option, his style of play doesn’t fit with Brendan Rodgers’ system. Rodgers requires his forwards to be mobile, tactically aware, and able to drop deep to link play. Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah, for example, are excellent at pressing and playing quick combinations with midfielders. Shankland’s game is more one-dimensional, meaning he would likely struggle to adapt to the way Celtic play.
Rangers Avoided a Major Mistake
Despite his poor form this season, there are still some Rangers fans who believe the club should sign him on a free transfer in the summer. While that might seem like a low-risk move, it’s worth asking whether he is really what they need.
One of the biggest narratives from last season was that Rangers’ failure to sign Shankland in January was a factor in their title collapse. Injuries to Danilo and Kemar Roofe left Rangers short in attack, forcing Philippe Clement to rely on Fabio Silva, who was played out of position on the left wing. That led to renewed calls for Rangers to make a move for Shankland.
However, Hearts were demanding at least £4.5 million for him in the winter window—a fee that now looks wildly inflated. Given his form this season, Rangers will be feeling extremely relieved that they did not surrender to those demands. Spending that kind of money on a striker who is about to turn 30 and who has only had one truly prolific season would have been a disaster. Even now, with his contract running down, signing him for free still presents risks.
Shankland has proven he can score goals in the Scottish Premiership, but is he good enough to fire Rangers to the title? More importantly, is he capable of stepping up in the Champions League or even the Europa League? The answer to both questions is likely no.
Hearts’ Transfer Strategy Has Backfired—Again
While Rangers dodged a bullet, Hearts are now facing the consequences of their refusal to sell Shankland at the peak of his value. The Edinburgh club had a huge decision to make last January: cash in on their star striker for a substantial fee or gamble on him maintaining his form and securing European qualification. They chose the latter, and now they are in danger of losing him for nothing.
This is not the first time Hearts have miscalculated in the transfer market. In previous years, they allowed key players like John Souttar to leave on a free transfer instead of selling at the right time. Shankland now looks set to follow the same path, and it raises serious questions about how the club operates.
From a business perspective, Hearts should have taken the money in January when his stock was high. Holding onto him was a major risk, and it has backfired spectacularly. Now, instead of recouping a multi-million-pound fee that could have been reinvested into strengthening the squad, they could watch him walk away for free.
Even if Hearts still manage to convince Shankland to sign a new deal, the reality is that he is no longer the red-hot goal scorer he was last season. The club now faces the difficult task of replacing a player who was their talisman, but they will have to do it without the financial boost that a sale would have provided.
Celtic’s Transfer Approach Is Vindicated
Shankland’s struggles highlight an important lesson for Celtic when it comes to signing players from within the Scottish Premiership. While there are certainly some talents worth considering, overpaying for players who have only had one strong season can be a costly mistake.
Celtic have been far more strategic in their recruitment, focusing on younger players with greater long-term potential. The decision to sign Adam Idah from Norwich City, for example, looks far wiser than pursuing an aging striker like Shankland. Idah has already shown he can contribute at a high level, and at 23, he still has plenty of room to develop.
Similarly, Celtic’s approach to signing players like Alex Valle and Arne Engels reflects a commitment to acquiring young, technically gifted players who fit Brendan Rodgers’ system. Bringing in a nearly 30-year-old striker who does not fit the tactical demands of modern football would have been a step in the wrong direction.
Had Celtic listened to the arguments about signing Shankland, they could have found themselves stuck with an aging forward on high wages, contributing very little to the team’s overall style of play. Instead, they avoided that trap, and Shankland’s decline has only validated their decision.
Conclusion: The Right Call All Around
Ultimately, Shankland’s situation serves as a cautionary tale. While his 31-goal season may have sparked interest, his sharp decline this campaign proves why clubs must be careful when evaluating players based on short-term form.
Celtic were right to avoid him, as he does not fit their style of play or long-term vision. Rangers were lucky not to have spent millions on him in January, and even now, signing him on a free would be a gamble. And Hearts? They had the chance to make a significant profit but hesitated, and now they face the prospect of losing him for nothing.
Shankland may still have something left to offer in Scottish football, but his status as a top-tier striker has been severely diminished. The idea that he was ever a must-sign player for Celtic or Rangers now looks laughable, and the clubs who ignored the hype have been proven right.