Hasty Rangers transfer offers Scotland star timely pre-World Cup boost as sights set on fulfilling lifetime dream
New Rangers signing was determined to finalise move from Premiership rivals Hearts before jetting out to the United States
Lawrence Shankland reckons sealing his dream move to boyhood heroes Rangers last week has given him a timely pre-World Cup boost - and has allowed himself to dream of scoring on the biggest stage in world football.
The former Hearts striker made a surprise move along the M8 from Edinburgh to Glasgow within a few days of the 2025/26 drawing to a close, in which he scored 20 goals for the Tynecastle club.
Shankland gave a clear indicator of his soaring confidence levels heading into the tournament by following up an deadly double in last weekend’s 4-1 friendly win over Curacao at Hampden by getting on the scoresheet again in last night’s 4-0 victory over Bolivia in New Jersey in the Scots’ final warm-up game.
Speaking to the Scottish FA in the United States prior to the match, Shankland reflected on a hectic few weeks ahead of the global showpiece which gets underway next Thursday.
“Obviously I finished the season pretty strong, so confidence was already high,” the 30-year-old stated. “To join my boyhood club, somewhere that I’ve always had a dream to play, and to get that opportunity, especially in the later stages of your career, I’m just happy and excited to get that opportunity.
“It can give you that wee boost and hopefully it does going into these games.”
Shankland explains nature of hasty transfer from Tynecastle to Ibrox
Shankland’s transfer to Rangers was concluded rather hastily before he joined up with Steve Clarke’s squad, but the former Jambos skipper admitted he was eager to get everything signed and sealed as soon as possible.
He added: “Obviously, I was due to meet up with Scotland on the Tuesday but I had to delay to the Wednesday for my medicals and stuff. I felt like it was pretty important for me to get it done before I came here.
“I think when you come to a World Cup, you want to enjoy that experience. I don’t think I wanted anything hanging over my head with my club football so I was quite keen to get things wrapped up.
“Obviously, it was a big decision for me, leaving Hearts. It’s a great club. I’ve got a lot of good times and good memories there. But the opportunity to go and join Rangers is one that I couldn’t really turn down.
“As I said, it was just important that I got that sorted before I came here. Then, full focus on the World Cup.”
With his club future now sorted, Shankland is determined to make his mark at the World Cup for his country after confessing he has dreamed of what it would feel like to celebrate a goal in front of a global audience.
“I think everybody will,” he said. “Everybody will aim to leave their stamp here. As a strike, that’s what you’re judged on so of course I’d love to get on the scoresheet at the World Cup. But as long as the team’s winning and I’m playing my part this way, I’d be happy as well.”
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