Rangers now have a big advantage in the race to sign £10m star who’s better than Shankland

Rangers supporters have every reason to be excited about the future. The summer transfer window has only just begun, yet speculation is already building around several players who could transform the squad ahead of the new campaign. While the arrival of Lawrence Shankland has generated plenty of excitement around Ibrox, fresh reports suggest Rangers may not be finished strengthening their attack.

In fact, some believe the club could be about to land a striker who may eventually prove to be an even better signing than the former Hearts captain.

The player in question is Leeds United striker Joel Piroe.

Over the last few weeks, his name has appeared more and more frequently in transfer discussions involving Rangers. At first, many supporters viewed the rumours with caution. After all, plenty of players are linked with the club every summer. Some stories disappear quickly while others gradually become more serious.

This one refuses to go away.

And the more details emerge, the more intriguing the situation becomes.

Rangers have already made a significant statement by bringing Lawrence Shankland to Ibrox. The Scotland international arrives with an impressive reputation after years of proving himself in Scottish football. His goalscoring record for Hearts was outstanding. Week after week he delivered for his club. Season after season he found the back of the net.

For many supporters, Shankland represents exactly the type of signing Rangers needed.

An experienced striker.

A proven goalscorer.

A player who understands Scottish football.

A player capable of delivering immediately.

His numbers speak for themselves.

During his time at Hearts, Shankland became one of the most feared forwards in the country. Defenders struggled to stop him. Goalkeepers regularly found themselves picking the ball out of the net after another clinical finish.

His consistency made him one of the most valuable players in the Scottish Premiership.

That is why Rangers moved quickly to secure his signature.

The club believes his arrival can strengthen the attack significantly.

Danny Rohl will certainly be hoping that proves true.

The manager knows how important goals will be next season. Rangers need players capable of deciding matches, especially during difficult moments when chances are limited and pressure is high.

Shankland appears perfectly suited for that challenge.

Yet despite all the excitement surrounding his arrival, another name continues generating discussion behind the scenes.

Joel Piroe.

The Leeds United striker has quietly built one of the most impressive goalscoring records outside the Premier League.

While many fans focus on established stars, Piroe has been producing goals year after year with remarkable consistency.

His journey has been fascinating.

Throughout his time in the Championship, he developed a reputation as one of the division’s most reliable finishers.

Regardless of which team he played for.

Regardless of changing circumstances.

Regardless of pressure.

The goals continued arriving.

That consistency is one of the reasons Rangers are believed to be interested.

The club understands how difficult it is to find strikers capable of delivering season after season.

Many players enjoy one excellent year before disappearing.

Others struggle with consistency.

Piroe has largely avoided those problems.

His record speaks loudly.

Across four Championship seasons, he established himself as one of the division’s most productive forwards.

He regularly exceeded expectations.

He consistently outperformed his expected goals numbers.

He demonstrated an ability to finish chances that many strikers would miss.

That quality cannot be taught easily.

Natural goalscorers are rare.

When clubs find one, they usually try to keep them.

Yet circumstances at Leeds United may create an opportunity.

Reports suggest the striker could leave Elland Road this summer.

His opportunities became more limited following Leeds’ return to the Premier League.

Competition increased.

Starting opportunities became harder to secure.

A player accustomed to regular football suddenly found himself spending more time on the bench.

For a striker, that situation can become frustrating quickly.

Goalscorers want to play.

They want opportunities.

They want responsibility.

They want to feel important.

A move to Rangers could potentially provide all of those things.

At Ibrox, Piroe would likely receive far more opportunities to showcase his talent.

He would become part of a club expected to challenge for trophies.

He would compete in front of passionate supporters every week.

He would have the chance to become a central figure in the team’s attacking plans.

That possibility is naturally attractive.

The situation becomes even more interesting because of the relationship between Rangers and Leeds United.

Recent comments from Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe have added fuel to speculation.

Marathe previously held a role at Rangers and remains familiar with the club’s structure.

He understands the environment.

He knows the expectations.

He knows how the club operates.

His recent remarks suggested there could be opportunities for cooperation between the two clubs.

Those comments immediately caught attention.

Supporters began wondering whether Rangers could gain an advantage in negotiations.

After all, relationships often matter in football.

Trust matters.

Familiarity matters.

Understanding how a player may fit into a particular environment matters.

Marathe’s comments appeared to suggest exactly that.

He spoke about understanding systems, coaches, medical departments, and opportunities for players.

Many Rangers supporters interpreted those words as a positive sign.

Perhaps not a guarantee.

But certainly encouragement.

The possibility that Rangers could hold an advantage over rival clubs has generated considerable excitement.

Particularly because competition for Piroe’s signature could be intense.

Other clubs have reportedly shown interest.

Several teams understand the value he could bring.

Strikers with his record are always in demand.

Goals remain the most valuable currency in football.

Players who consistently provide them rarely stay unnoticed.

Yet Rangers may have a unique opportunity.

The attraction of regular football could prove decisive.

Piroe only started a handful of Premier League matches last season.

For a player accustomed to playing regularly, that represents a significant change.

Footballers want minutes on the pitch.

They want involvement.

They want chances to influence matches.

At Rangers, those opportunities would likely increase dramatically.

The club’s style of play could also suit him perfectly.

Rangers often dominate possession in domestic matches.

Opponents frequently defend deep.

Breaking down stubborn defences requires clinical finishing.

That is where players like Piroe become extremely valuable.

One chance.

One finish.

One goal.

Sometimes that is all it takes.

His reputation for being clinical has been earned through years of consistent production.

Journalists, scouts, and analysts have all praised his finishing ability.

Time and again he has demonstrated an ability to convert difficult opportunities.

That quality alone could make him a huge asset in Scottish football.

What makes the comparison with Shankland particularly interesting is their age difference.

While Shankland remains an excellent player, he will soon enter his thirties.

Piroe is younger.

That means potentially more years at the highest level.

More years of development.

More years of goals.

More years contributing to the team.

From a long-term perspective, that matters.

Football clubs increasingly think about future value as well as immediate impact.

A younger player often provides greater flexibility.

If successful, he can contribute for many seasons.

His value can also increase over time.

These factors help explain why Rangers continue monitoring the situation.

The club knows opportunities like this do not appear every day.

A proven goalscorer.

Premier League experience.

Championship success.

An age profile aligned with long-term planning.

Strong finishing ability.

All the ingredients appear present.

Supporters have naturally started imagining what a Rangers attack featuring both Shankland and Piroe could look like.

Defenders would face a difficult challenge.

Two proven finishers.

Two players capable of scoring different types of goals.

Two players capable of deciding matches.

Such competition could elevate the entire squad.

Managers love having options.

Successful teams rarely rely on one goalscorer.

Instead, they build depth.

They create competition.

They ensure quality exists throughout the squad.

Adding Piroe would certainly achieve that objective.

Of course, transfers are never simple.

Interest does not guarantee success.

Negotiations remain complicated.

Financial considerations always matter.

Leeds United will want a significant fee.

Other clubs could enter the race.

Unexpected developments may occur.

That is the reality of modern football.

Nothing is guaranteed until contracts are signed.

Yet the story continues gaining momentum.

The connection between Rangers and Leeds exists.

The player appears available.

The club needs attacking reinforcements.

The profile fits.

The opportunity is real.

Whether Rangers ultimately complete the deal remains uncertain.

But supporters can dream.

They can imagine Piroe arriving at Ibrox.

They can imagine goals flying into the net.

They can imagine another powerful attacking option wearing the famous blue shirt.

For now, Lawrence Shankland remains the headline arrival.

His signing has already strengthened the squad.

His goalscoring record offers plenty of reasons for optimism.

Yet if Rangers somehow manage to add Joel Piroe as well, the excitement surrounding the club could reach another level entirely.

A striker with his record.

A player entering his prime years.

A forward capable of scoring consistently.

A footballer many believe could become one of the best attackers in Scottish football.

That possibility alone is enough to keep Rangers supporters watching every transfer update closely.

The summer window is still young.

Many twists remain ahead.

Many deals will happen.

Many rumours will come and go.

But one thing is becoming increasingly clear.

Joel Piroe is a name Rangers fans may be hearing a lot more about in the weeks ahead.

And if the club manages to complete the deal, they may not only have secured another striker.

They may have secured one of the most important signings of the entire summer.