Lawrence Shankland has expressed that being appointed the captain of Rangers is a "tremendous privilege" for him. The 30‑year‑old forward, who previously wore the armband at Hearts under former manager Derek McInnes, steps into the same leadership position at Ibrox after both he and McInnes moved to the Glasgow club during the summer transfer window. Shankland succeeds James Tavernier, who relinquished the captaincy following his departure, and he was quick to convey his appreciation for the honor.
"Obviously, it is a huge honour for me to be named captain of this football club," he said. "I have been a lifelong supporter of Rangers. To even be here was a dream, but to be handed the captain's armband is something truly special." He recalled that McInnes had informed him of the decision just an hour earlier. Reflecting on his time at Hearts, Shankland noted that his experience as a captain there had shaped his approach to leadership.
"When I was at Hearts, I was captain, and the only way I learned to conduct myself in training and matches was by acting as a leader and setting an example for the group," he explained. "It wasn’t something I thought about constantly, but I always tried to lead by example on the training pitch and to do things properly around the club." Shankland also highlighted the depth of experience within the Rangers squad, pointing out that several new signings bring a wealth of knowledge from larger clubs. "We have signed a lot of experienced players like Dan Neil, Ben Godfrey and others who have been around big clubs and have captained their sides before," he said. "So it’s about all of us setting an example together." He added that for the past two and a half years, his identity has been closely tied to the captaincy.
"For the last two and a half years, all I have known is being captain of a club. It’s something I have enjoyed and taken responsibility for," Shankland remarked. He acknowledged that the role comes with heightened scrutiny, especially when results dip.
"Of course, there is scrutiny when things get difficult and people look to the captain to answer for the squad. That is something I will have to manage, but the rewards of being a successful captain at this club far outweigh any challenges," he said. "I am really looking forward to embracing this responsibility." Manager Derek McInnes, who has been rotating the armband among several players during pre‑season—including Ross McCrorie, Neil, Godfrey and Dujon Sterling—explained his final decision ahead of his first competitive match as Rangers manager, a fixture against Dundee United broadcast live on Sky Sports.
"When you join a club and have to pick a captain, you are always mindful of those who have come before you," McInnes said. "James Tavernier has served this club for a long time and done so admirably, so that conversation was inevitable and has been raised many times since I arrived." He continued, "I wanted to take the time to look through the entire squad and assess everyone before making that call. The advantage Lawrence had is that I have already seen first‑hand how well he runs a dressing‑room, given his experience captaining Hearts for a few years. We considered many factors, but several things worked in his favour – his experience, the fact that we still have a relatively young dressing‑room, and his background as a Glasgow native who has supported Rangers all his life and understands what is expected of him, me and the team this season.
I also have a strong personal relationship with him, which always helps." The announcement comes as Rangers prepare for a busy schedule in the Scottish Premiership, with upcoming fixtures that include an away game at Dundee United on Saturday at 8 p.m. on Sky Sports, a home clash against Hibernian on Thursday at 4 p.m., and further matches against Aberdeen, Falkirk, Motherwell and the Old Firm encounter with Celtic later in the month. Fans can view the full list of Rangers' Premiership fixtures by following the club's official channels. Beyond the on‑field duties, the club is also promoting its digital engagement initiatives, encouraging supporters to stream the Scottish Premiership via NOW and watch live action on Sky Sports.
In addition, Rangers are offering a Super 6 competition where participants can enter for free for a chance to win £250,000, adding an extra layer of excitement for the fan base. Overall, Shankland’s appointment signals a blend of continuity and fresh leadership for Rangers.
His personal connection to the club, combined with his proven captaincy experience at Hearts and the backing of a manager who values his influence in the dressing‑room, suggests that he is well‑placed to guide the team through the challenges of the season. As the new captain, Shankland aims to set high standards, foster unity among a youthful squad, and uphold the proud traditions of Rangers while striving for success on domestic and European fronts.