Rangers summer signing 'under more pressure' than Celtic record breaker as Hoops break 'terrible' habit
Rangers and Celtic have both made striker moves in the transfer window.
Kris Boyd reckons Kasper Hogh is under LESS pressure at Celtic than Lawrence Shankland is at Rangers.
The former Ibrox striker has been assessing two big moves up front on either side of the Old Firm divide. Shankland was Rangers’ first signing of the summer after a goal-laden Hearts spell while the Premiership champions have smashed their transfer record to sign Hogh from Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt.
Rangers will be looking to dethrone their rivals this term and Boyd feels there is more expectation on that than being the frontrunners. He is impressed by how the Hoops have bounced back from a tough winter window with a statement signing that improves their starting core.
Kris Boyd on Celtic transfer deal
Boyd told the Scottish Sun: “It’s a statement from Celtic, £11 million, that’s a lot of money. But it’s somebody who, for me looking at the way he plays, he will come in with a swagger, he will be here to show I want to be the top goal scorer in the league, I want to go and score in the cups, I want to get to the Champions League and score in it again.
“In the last few transfer windows, Celtic have just added bodies. It looks as if they’re now looking at the starting XI and saying we need to strengthen that. That’s exactly what they've done. They might’ve taken their time but they now look as if they’re getting players in that are going to come in and hit the ground running. Celtic fans were still angry for the majority of last season but still lifted two trophies, so I think that shows you where they’re at right now as well.
“They want to be dominant, they want to kick on. These signings are big for Celtic. They’re coming in to start and that’s key. When you look back at the last few transfer windows, they’ve just added bodies. You only need to look at January, it was terrible.”
Is Lawrence Shankland under pressure at Rangers?
“I would say Lawrence Shankland is under more pressure. Because at the end of the day, Celtic have been winning. Rangers are the ones who need to try and topple Celtic. So whoever comes in there, they’re the ones who are having to say ‘I’m good enough to go and dethrone Celtic.’ So as I said, I think Shankland will be under more pressure to score goals.”
Boyd wouldn’t be surprised if Shankland is made captain of Rangers. He added: “I know it’s a big job, it comes with the pressure, but he’s done it at Hearts. He’s led by example. He knows the pressure he’s under. And by the way, it’s a good thing.I’ve done it myself, you pull on that jersey and you know you have to go and score goals to lead your team to a title. Lawrence Shankland must be buzzing right now.”