Rangers pursue Shankland transfer as O’Neill targets Celtic role
Rangers are accelerating efforts to secure the signature of Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland, with a deal potentially finalised by early next week. Meanwhile, Hearts interim manager Martin O’Neill has confirmed he expects to meet Celtic major shareholder Dermot Desmond regarding the vacant managerial position at Parkhead.
Rangers are actively pursuing a transfer agreement to sign Hearts captain and Scotland forward Lawrence Shankland, aiming to conclude the move by the start of next week. The club is pushing for a swift resolution as the 30-year-old is scheduled to soon join Scotland’s World Cup squad, creating a narrow window for the transaction. Reports indicate the pursuit is driven by a desire to secure the striker before he departs for international duty.
Concurrently, Hearts interim manager Martin O’Neill is positioning himself for the managerial vacancy at Celtic. O’Neill has stated he “must be in consideration” for the role and expects to meet with Celtic major shareholder Dermot Desmond in the near future to discuss the position. The interim boss previously won both the Premiership and the Scottish Cup, a record he hopes will bolster his candidacy for the top job at the Glasgow giants.
The managerial speculation arises in the wake of Celtic’s 3-1 victory over Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish Cup final. During the match, Scotland defender Kieran Tierney was forced off the pitch, but O’Neill confirmed the defender is “fine” following the incident. The result extends Celtic’s domestic dominance, though the outcome of the upcoming meeting between O’Neill and Desmond remains uncertain.
Other developments in Scottish football include comments from Dunfermline Athletic’s Josh Cooper, who scored the consolation goal in the cup final defeat. Cooper described the result as “just the start” for the club, suggesting a longer-term perspective on their recent performance. Additionally, reports note that Celtic forward Maeda is set to play in his final game for the club, marking the end of his tenure at Parkhead.
Beyond the domestic scene, Manchester United has expressed interest in player Leao, though details regarding the potential move remain vague and are currently characterised as gossip. The focus for Rangers and Hearts, however, remains firmly on the potential transfer of Shankland and the shifting managerial landscape at Celtic.
