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Joe Savage reveals he was 'absolutely battered' over Lawrence Shankland to Rangers transfer jibe
Former Hearts sporting director Joe Savage told how he got “absolutely battered” for claiming Rangers couldn’t afford Lawrence Shankland in a transfer deadline day interview.
The former Jambos recruitment guru made the comment in February 2023 when speculation was rife that the Light Blues might make a move. Savage was a guest on BBC Radio Scotland’s special transfer deadline day show and, reappearing on the station’s Off The Ball show, he said: “I got battered for that. I said Rangers couldn’t afford Lawrence Shankland and I got absolutely battered for it.
“But it was the last day of the window and nobody was signing Shanks at that time because we weren’t going to sell him. There was no approach. No conversation whatsoever. In my time at Hearts we never got approached by Rangers to sign Lawrence Shankland.”
Shankland missed a penalty in Hearts’ Europa Conference League defeat to Cercle Brugge in midweek and a section of the away fans shouted at him to “get to f***”. Asked by show host Tam Cowan if it could be because many feel he wants to go to boyhood heroes Rangers, Savage said: “Potentially.
"But Shanks isn’t like that. He’s dedicated to his cause and just wants to score goals. The other people need to be helping him. He’s just been unlucky with some of the chances.”
Shankland was at his blistering best when he was frequently liked with Rangers and it was at that time Savage said: "They wouldn't be able to afford him! I can tell you that right now. Not a chance. No price, he's not for sale. Shanks is not going anywhere. Shanks is going to get 30-odd goals for us this season and become an absolute Hearts legend, that's the plan!”
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