Lawrence Shankland has expressed that being appointed the captain of Rangers is a "huge honour" for him. The 30‑year‑old forward, who previously wore the armband at Hearts under the guidance of Derek McInnes, now steps into the same leadership position at Ibrox after both he and McInnes made the move to the Scottish giants during the summer transfer window. Shankland succeeds James Tavernier, who relinquished the captaincy following his departure, and he spoke about the significance of the appointment: "Obviously, it's a huge honour for me to be named captain of this football club. I'm a lifelong supporter.
It was a dream to be here in the first place but to be captain is a huge honour." He added that McInnes had informed him of the decision only an hour earlier, noting that his prior experience as Hearts captain had already shaped his approach to leadership. "When I was at Hearts, I was captain and the only way I've learned to behave and in my training has been to act as a captain and try to be a leader in the group," Shankland explained.
"It hadn't been something I'd thought too much about, but I always look to myself to set examples on the training pitch and do things properly around the place." The new captain also highlighted the depth of experience within the Rangers squad, pointing out that the club has recruited several seasoned professionals such as Dan Neil and Ben Godfrey, both of whom have spent time at larger clubs and have captained sides before. "So it's about all of us setting an example," Shankland said.
"For the last two and a half years, all I've known is being captain of a club. It's something I've enjoyed.
I took the responsibility." He acknowledged that the role comes with heightened scrutiny, especially when the team faces challenging periods. "Of course, there's scrutiny when things get difficult and people look to the captain to answer up for the squad.
That's something I'll need to be responsible for but the flip side is the rewards of being a successful captain at this club outweigh it by miles. So it's something I'm really looking forward to," he concluded. Manager Derek McInnes, who has been rotating the armband during pre‑season among players like Ross McCrorie, Neil, Godfrey and Dujon Sterling, explained his rationale for settling on Shankland ahead of his first competitive match as Rangers boss against Dundee United.
McInnes said, "When you come into a club and have to pick a captain, you're always mindful of the ones who have gone before. James Tavernier has served this club for a long time and served it well, so that discussion was always going to be there and it's something I've been asked about a lot since I took the job.
I wanted to take time to look right through the squad and see how everybody was before making that call." He continued, "The advantage Lawrence had is that I've already seen first‑hand how well he runs a dressing room, with his experience captaining Hearts for a few years. We had a lot to consider, but plenty went in his favour – his experience, the fact we're still quite a young dressing room, and that he knows the club as a Glasgow boy who has supported Rangers and understands what's expected of him, of me and of the team this season. I've also got a strong relationship with him, which always helps." Shankland's appointment arrives at a time when Rangers are gearing up for a busy schedule in the Scottish Premiership and domestic cup competitions. Their upcoming fixtures include an away clash with Dundee United at 8 pm, live on Sky Sports, followed by a home game against Hibernian at 4 pm, an away encounter with 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 broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Fans can view the full list of Rangers' Premiership fixtures by following the club's official channels. Beyond the on‑field responsibilities, Shankland is aware that his role as captain extends to representing the club's values off the pitch. As a lifelong Rangers supporter, he feels a personal duty to embody the passion and tradition that the fans cherish. He aims to be a conduit between the managerial staff, the playing group, and the supporters, ensuring that communication remains transparent and that the team's ethos is upheld during training sessions, match days, and community engagements.
The captaincy also places Shankland in a position to mentor younger players who are still finding their footing in top‑flight football. With a mix of seasoned internationals and emerging talents in the squad, his experience can help nurture the next generation of Rangers stars.
By leading by example—whether through diligent work ethic, tactical discipline, or composure under pressure—he hopes to foster a culture of professionalism that will sustain the club's ambitions for league titles and European competition. In summary, Lawrence Shankland's elevation to Rangers captaincy is both a personal milestone and a strategic move by the club's hierarchy. It reflects his proven leadership at Hearts, his deep-rooted connection to Rangers, and the confidence placed in him by manager Derek McInnes.
As the season unfolds, Shankland will be tasked with steering a talented but youthful squad through the rigours of Scottish football, balancing the weight of expectation with the joy of wearing the iconic captain's armband. The journey promises to be challenging, but Shankland's enthusiasm and sense of duty suggest he is ready to embrace the responsibility fully.