Bluebell United · Defender · #0 · Republic of Ireland · 35 yrs
For football fans in Canada, the initial prospect of the World Cup coming to town was thrilling – but hundreds of tickets remain unsoldAs far back as he can remember, football has long been a part of Lawrence Yee’s life. Growing up in a Canadian town where hockey was the dominant sport, he found community and passion in the game. The sport – and the full, at times devastating, spectrum of emotion that comes with fandom – has remained braided into adulthood. Nearly four years ago, when Fifa announced Toronto and Vancouver would join 14 other cities in hosting the World Cup, Yee was ecstatic.“Hearing the biggest stage, the highest competition, the biggest tournament in the world was coming into Toronto? I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “It’s the opportunity of a lifetime for someone like me. Being able to live in the city and cycle to the venue? I knew I’d be the first in line for tickets.” Continue reading...
Rangers have signed Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland on a two-year deal with an option for a further 12 months, after activating a break clause buried inside the three-year contract he had only signe...
Hearts will have to replace not only Lawrence Shankland's goals but also his influence on the dressing. The striker joined Premiership rivals Rangers on a pre-contract and will officially link up with his new club once the transfer window opens. The 30-year-old scored 20 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions for Derek McInnes' side but that's not the only metric Hearts will assess when looking for a replacment.
Lawrence Shankland has asked Hearts fans to "understand and respect" his decision to grasp an opportunity he "couldn't turn down" to leave for the club he supported as boy, Scottish Premiership rivals Rangers. "From the moment I walked through the doors of the club, I felt at home," Shankland said.
Hot on the heels of title heartbreak, the departure of captain and talisman Lawrence Shankland to Rangers is another crushing blow. This summer was already shaping up to be a major rebuild for Derek McInnes. It becomes much more difficult when you now need to replace your leader, your top goalscorer and, in the eyes of many supporters, your best player.
Derek McInnes asserted at various times throughout the season that Lawrence Shankland is the best striker in Scottish football. Eleven months after the striker ended a saga over his future by signing a three-year deal to stay at Tynecastle, he has abruptly left to join a direct rival. Since his move to Tynecastle in summer 2022, no player has scored more Premiership goals than Shankland, who hit 72 in 135 matches.
Hearts took just 49 words to announce the end of Lawrence Shankland's Tynecastle career. The striker was a hero in Gorgie, but moves on after four years and will officially become a Rangers player next month. "Heart of Midlothian can confirm that Lawrence Shankland is leaving the club to join Rangers," the club's statement said.
