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 the guidance of Derek McInnes, will now assume the same leadership duties at Ibrox after both he and McInnes made the move to the Scottish giants over the summer.
Shankland steps into the captaincy after James Tavernier's departure. In his own words, "Obviously, it is a massive honour for me to be named captain of this football club. I have been a lifelong supporter; simply being here was a dream, but leading the side as captain is an even bigger accolade." He recounted the moment McInnes informed him of the decision: "He told me about an hour ago.
When I was at Hearts I was captain, and the only way I learned to conduct myself in training and matches was to act like a leader and set an example for the group. It hadn't been something I dwelt on too much, but I always tried to set standards on the training pitch and behave responsibly around the club." Shankland emphasized that the captaincy is not a solitary burden. "We have brought in a number of seasoned professionals – Dan Neil, Ben Godfrey and others who have played for big clubs and have captained sides before.
It is about all of us leading by example. For the past two and a half years I have been accustomed to being a captain, and I have enjoyed the responsibility." He also acknowledged the pressure that comes with the role: "There will be scrutiny when things get tough and people will look to the captain to answer for the squad.
That is a responsibility I will take seriously, but the rewards of succeeding as captain at a club of this stature far outweigh any difficulties. I am genuinely excited about the challenge ahead." McInnes had experimented with the armband during pre‑season, handing it to several players including Ross McCrorie, Neil, Godfrey and Dujon Sterling. Ahead of his first competitive match as Rangers manager – a fixture against Dundee United broadcast live on Sky Sports – he explained why Shankland was his final choice. "When you join a club and need to select a captain, you always think about those who have gone before.
James Tavernier served the club admirably for a long time, so that conversation was inevitable and I was asked about it constantly after taking the job. I wanted to assess the whole squad before making a decision." McInnes continued, "Lawrence had the advantage that I had already seen how well he runs a dressing‑room during his time captaining Hearts. We weighed many factors, but several worked in his favour – his experience, the relative youth of our squad, and the fact he is a Glasgow native who has supported Rangers all his life and understands the expectations placed on him, on me and on the team this season.
I also have a strong personal relationship with him, which always helps." The announcement came as Rangers prepare for a busy schedule. Their upcoming fixtures include a home clash with Hibernian at 4 pm, an away game at Aberdeen at 3 pm, a match against Falkirk at 7.45 pm, a home fixture versus Motherwell at 3 pm, and a marquee showdown with Celtic at noon, also televised on Sky Sports. Fans can view the full list of Rangers' Premiership fixtures via the club’s official channels. Beyond the on‑field action, the club is promoting its Super 6 competition, offering participants a chance to win a £250,000 prize pool, with free entry available.
For supporters wishing to follow the Scottish Premiership live, the league is available for streaming through NOW and broadcast on Sky Sports. In summary, Shankland’s appointment signals a blend of continuity and fresh leadership. His prior captaincy experience, deep-rooted connection to Rangers, and the respect he commands among teammates position him well to guide a youthful and ambitious squad. While the role brings heightened expectations and inevitable scrutiny, Shankland’s statements reflect confidence and enthusiasm, suggesting he is ready to embrace the challenge and strive for success at one of Scotland’s most storied clubs.