David Templeton, who made the switch from Hearts to Rangers back in 2012, believes Lawrence Shankland will be a roaring success at Ibrox.
Templeton played alongside Kris Boyd at Rangers and witnessed first-hand what natural goalscoring instinct looks like in a striker who traded pace for precision.
Boyd became the record goalscorer in the top flight across the SPL/SPFL era, and Templeton sees the same clinical qualities in Shankland.
Shankland’s move from Hearts to Rangers this week came after a contract clause allowed the 30-year-old to leave Tynecastle for nothing.
The striker netted 88 goals in four seasons with Hearts, and Templeton is convinced goals will follow him to Govan.
“He’s like a Boydy in terms of he just knows where to be, what positions to take up,” Templeton said, adding that such instinct simply cannot be taught.
“With Lawrence, you just feel like one chance will drop and he’ll score,” Templeton added, noting that quality becomes critical in tight matches against Celtic.
Templeton also dismissed concerns about Shankland’s lack of pace, arguing that deficiencies in one area force players to sharpen everything else.
“What he’s got is football intelligence and knows how to score goals,” Templeton said, describing Shankland as the perfect striker for a possession-dominant team facing packed defences.
At Rangers, Shankland will compete for a starting role alongside £8m man Youssef Chermiti, Bojan Miovski, and Ryan Naderi, but Templeton believes the Scotland striker surpasses all three.
“I thought Rangers should have signed Lawrence last summer when they had the opportunity,” Templeton said, arguing Shankland would have been an upgrade on players bought for millions.
Templeton also stressed that Shankland’s leadership qualities make the signing even more significant beyond his goalscoring record.
Despite Shankland growing up a Rangers fan, Templeton insists nothing can truly prepare a player for walking out at Ibrox as a home player for the first time.
Templeton recalled being in the Ibrox tunnel as a Hearts player hearing 50,000 fans sing Simply the Best, before Lee Wallace told him it was even better as a Rangers player.
“In my first game walking out there as a Rangers player, I totally got it,” Templeton said, describing the feeling as hairs standing on end.
“Nothing can prepare you,” he added, though he noted Shankland’s deep connection to the club means he may be as ready as anyone could be.
“As soon as he gets that first goal, he’ll just take off,” Templeton said, predicting Shankland will thrive under the intense expectation that comes with playing for Rangers.
Meanwhile, Templeton believes Hearts could need as many as two quality signings just to replace what Shankland alone brought to the club.
The situation is further complicated by the possible exit of Cammy Devlin, who is heading to the World Cup with Australia, alongside confirmed departures of Frankie Kent and Beni Baningime.
Hearts have moved to bolster their squad, signing former Exeter City defender MJ Kamson-Kamara to replace Kent, while Josh McPake will arrive on a free from St Johnstone.
A deal is also close for midfielder Tom Renaud from Versailles, FC Rouen striker Amadou Ba-Sy is being pursued, and York City have rejected an initial offer for Malachi Fagan-Walcott.
Templeton warned that replacing Shankland’s leadership inside the dressing room will prove just as difficult as replacing his goals on the pitch.
“That leadership in and around the changing room, you’re probably going to miss that the most,” Templeton said, urging Hearts fans to trust Jamestown Analytics to find the right replacements.
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