MY HEART IS WITH GERS

Lawrence says leaving Tynie a tough call but..

- BY ANDY NEWPORT

NEW Rangers recruit Lawrence Shankland admits the joy of fulfilling his boyhood dream has helped soothe the anguish over his controversial Hearts exit.

The former Jambos skipper left the Gorgie faithful stunned after exercising a clause in his Tynecastle deal, which allowed him to walk away from the capital for free. It's a fresh hammer blow for boss Derek McInnes and fans just over a week on from seeing their title dreams dashed at Parkhead.

But for Shankland, the chance at last to join the team he has supported since childhood was too good to turn down.

And he is confident he is still on good terms with the Jambos after contributing 88 goals over

four seasons. As revealed by Record Sport, he has agreed a two-year deal at Ibrox with the option of a third after moving on what both clubs are calling “undisclosed terms”.

He said: “I'm delighted, first and foremost, to get this opportunity.

“It feels a wee bit like a long time coming, to be honest, with the number of times I have been rumoured with it. I'm just delighted to get it done and be a Rangers player.

“It is huge. A lot of hard graft has gone into it to get to this point. I want to come here and be a successful Rangers player.