Michy Batshuayi or Lawrence Shankland? How do Rangers solve their striker dilemma?

Michy Batshuayi scored twice for Belgium against Scotland in 2018 and is being linked with Rangers

The January transfer window is in full swing and Rangers continue to be linked with strikers as they prepare to battle on three fronts in the second half of the season.

Hearts’ Lawrence Shankland is the main domestic option being talked about in connection with Rangers. But what, or indeed whom, do Philippe Clement’s side require up top?

What the stats say

With 41 goals scored in their 20 league games so far, Rangers’ tally is second only to Celtic (53) but the Ibrox side are underperforming their xG – aka expected goals, a popular stat among today’s youth – of 46.6.

Perhaps more gallingly, the 41 goals have come from 410 shots, meaning Rangers are only converting 10% of the time. Six other clubs have a higher xG. With 136 of their efforts on target, the Ibrox side are finding their range around a third of the time.

Touches in the opposition box sit at 668, a steep drop from Celtic’s 960, and Rangers have 361 crosses from open play.

Could Shankland or Batshuayi be the answer?

Many supporters would trumpet Shankland as the answer to Rangers’ number nine dilemma. The Scotland striker has netted 19 goals for club and country this season and was the Premiership’s third top scorer last season with 24.

Hearts have said they would only consider an “exceptional” offer for the 28-year-old, who is under contract until the end of next season.

Such a cost may be prohibitive for Rangers, given their summer outlay on 10 players.

That’s why the Batshuayi option may appeal. The Belgium international may be a more affordable option, particularly if Sam Lammers leaves on loan for Utrecht as rumoured.

The 30-year-old has an impressive international strike rate – 27 in 52 games, including a double in a 4-0 friendly win over Scotland at Hampden in 2018.

His best domestic spells came at Standard Liege (44 in 120) and Marseille (33 in 78). Less prolific stints were in England, Germany, Spain and Turkey – admittedly more difficult arenas than Scotland. In total, he has 166 goals in 410 club appearances.

However, the most telling data could be the more recent. For Fenerbahce this season, Batshuayi has scored eight times in 20 appearances and last term he netted 20 in 32.

That 54% goal ratio is less impressive over the same period as Shankland (62%) and Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi (56%) but not far away.

In reality, Rangers need a clinical edge in attack that ups that conversion rate and increases the amount of touches in the box. They would get that with Shankland but Batshuayi may have to prove himself on that front.

Reliance on Sima & Tavernier

With Wolves attacker Fabio Silva signed on loan until the summer, the Ibrox club have effectively four players that can fulfil the number nine role.

But getting them on the pitch is proving difficult, adding weight to the fans’ clamour for a new recruit. Danilo is sidelined until April, injury-jinxed Kemar Roofe has managed just 21 appearances over the past 18 months, and Cyriel Dessers – who has contributed nine goals in 30 appearances – has looked ill at ease in the Ibrox spotlight.

The advantage Shankland would offer over those players is a proven track record in the Premiership.

In the first half of the season, Rangers have relied heavily on winger Abdallah Sima’s 15 goals and and dead-ball specialist James Tavernier’s haul of 16. Senegal’s Sima will be missing for a spell due to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Former Rangers forward Billy Dodds told the BBC’s Scottish Football Podcast: “Confidence is such a factor.

“That’s where Dessers is sitting at just now. I think there’s something there. He’s taking an eternity with chances he gets. That’s down to confidence.

“I’m not saying he’s going to make it at Rangers. Maybe he just can’t handle the big club physically and mentally. He’s got to do something. I wouldn’t write him off just yet.”

Whoever is capable of getting the goals, Viaplay Cup winners Rangers have a big second half of the season in front of them.

They trail Premiership leaders Celtic by eight points but have two games in hand and, in March, Rangers will take part in the Europa League round of 16.