Alan Hutton is adamant he would take Lawrence Shankland to Rangers in January if a deal could be done and declared, ‘you don’t become a bad player overnight’.
The Hearts skipper has failed to hit the goal trail like his first two campaigns in the capital with just one goal to his name this campaign. But his overall play for the team is still evident with his hold up of the ball and ability to bring others into the game still evident. He superbly pulled the ball down to set Kenneth Vargas on his way at Ibrox only for the attacker to smack the post in his one on one with Jack Butland.
The Scotland international has continually been linked with Philippe Clement‘smen in the past few windows but with his contract up in the summer and no fresh agreement in place in Gorgie, he could pen a pre-contract to move for free in the summer while the Jambos could potentially decide it is better to accept a fee in January rather than lose him for nothing come the end of the season.
Asked on The Scottish Football Social Club whether he would buy him for Rangers in the winter window if he was available for a fee and would make the difference, former defender Hutton said: “They should have done it before. Of course I would still take him. You don’t become a bad player overnight.
“I have always said he’s getting in the right areas, he’s probably just snatching at things a little bit. He feels that he needs to, as captain, be that guy and it is just not quite happening for him. He is a good player and I would go and get him. In a Rangers team he would score goals.”
It came after Michael Stewart through out the stat bomb that Celtic, Aberdeen, Dundee United, St Mirren and Dundee had scored more goals than Rangers with St Johnstone level. Hutton admits he felt for Dessers and the stick he comes in for. He understands he should score more goals from the chances he gets but the responsibility falls on more than just his shoulders. But he concedes – at this moment in time – he is not the man to fire the Light Blues to title glory.
He said: “At this moment in time no. There is no getting away from that. I get that but Rangers are where they are. We’ve spoke about it all season. We understand they are not where they want to be but unfortunately they are, so you have to deal with it.”
On Dessers, Stewart added: “His all-round game as well. Look at Lawrence Shankland at the moment. He has scored one goal this season but his all-round game is actually still there. His hold up and link up play is pretty good. Look at that through ball he plays for Vargas..”
Hutton butted in: “What would you prefer? If Dessers had one goal and his game and link up was a little bit better, that would be better? No he is there to score goals, Michael. Are you winding me up?”