The Lawrence Shankland failure shaping Rangers title fate as brutal Roofe and Dessers parallel emerges

Rangers would have been top of the Scottish Premiership had they signed Lawrence Shankland from Hearts in January.

That is according to Stephen McGinn - who rinsed the decision to recall Kemar Roofe to the starting line-up for the crucial clash with Dundee. The 31-year-old made his first start since October last year in the goalless draw at Dens Park with Cyriel Dessers watching on from the bench - while January recruit from Wolves Fabio Silva was shifted out to the left flank.

McGinn has now insisted that Philippe Clement and Rangers should have pushed the boat out to sign Scotland cap Shankland if they wanted to beat Celtic to the title. The 28-year-old has netted 29 goals in all competitions this season and was heavily linked with a switch to Ibrox in the winter window with the striker's contract set to expire at the end of next season.

And speaking to Go Radio, Falkirk captain McGinn reckons there will be major regret for Clement. He said: "I could not believe the team (against Dundee) what I saw Kemar Roofe in it.

"You talk about Celtic and the stick they have had for transfer windows - if you had said to me in January with six games to go in a title race Rangers were going to play Kemar Roofe, I would have doubled down and said no - you have to go and sign Lawrence Shankland. As poor as Rangers were they were 1-0 up and Cyriel Dessers has a chance and has to score.

"That goes to 2-0, the atmosphere changes and they get their three points. You go to Dundee and it’s all about getting the three points. The two main issues going into January was a creative midfielder and a striker. The two strikers they had the other night - Fabio Silva is on the wing and Cyriel Dessers is on the bench, and they turn to Kemar Roofe who hasn’t been fit for most of the season.

"Had they signed Lawrence Shankland - I think they would have been top of the league right now. They have not spent the £3-£4million for guaranteed goals against the likes of Motherwell. I watched the game back against Motherwell and I think Lawrence Shankland would have scored that day."