Derek McInnes has praised Lawrence Shankland as an "exceptional" captain who will wield a "substantial influence" at Rangers irrespective of whether he is named in the starting XI. Shankland first captained under McInnes at Hearts, and when the manager moved to Ibrox during the summer, the striker accompanied him and was handed the same armband at the Glasgow club.
Despite the promising start, the Scottish international has not hit the ground running at Govan. He was an unused substitute in the 5-1 home League Cup victory over St Mirren on Sunday, with midfielder Nico Raskin wearing the captain’s band for that match. Ahead of the first leg of the UEFA Conference League play‑off against Czech side Jablonec at Ibrox on Thursday, McInnes explained his perspective: "I told Lawrence that being captain does not guarantee anything, and he accepted that. He isn’t going to sit on his hands about it.
Someone has to be the club captain and, having worked with Lawrence before, I know he is a brilliant leader and a brilliant young man. He has a lot to offer, even if people read too much into the role. You want your captain to have a big influence on and off the pitch, and I believe Lawrence will provide that.
For me, it’s a non‑question, although I understand why some might read more into it." Shankland made his second appearance off the bench this season in the second half against the Saints, but he was unable to add to his lone Rangers goal so far – a penalty he scored against Polish side Jagiellonia in the Europa League qualifier. McInnes, however, remained untroubled by the limited minutes, stating: "When you have a player like Lawrence, who knows his way around the penalty area and how to find the net, I don’t worry too much. He is too good not to score regularly.
He has consistently shown that over a period of time in the Premiership, netting around twenty goals a season at Hearts. Sometimes people over‑emphasise these things.
For me, it’s about letting him play his natural game. The best strikers have an instinctive side to their play, where everything looks natural and seamless.
I have no doubt he will thrive here." In the same news cycle, Rangers announced the arrival of 20‑year‑old Serbian full‑back Kosta Nedeljković on a season‑long loan from Aston Villa, with an obligation to purchase at the end of the term. The move marks McInnes’ eleventh summer signing. Nedeljković will compete with Dujon Sterling and Ross McCrorie for the right‑back slot.
McInnes elaborated on the recruitment strategy: "It was a position we identified at the start of pre‑season. We looked at various options.
The club had been reliant on Dujon, who has a history of injuries, so we wanted to bring in a different type of full‑back. I have a high opinion of Dujon, but with Kosta you get a player similar to Vanja Dragojević in a full‑back role: real enthusiasm, athleticism and the ability to get up and down the pitch. He shows good quality and a real eagerness to play the role. As a young player, there will still be areas to improve, but we’re looking forward to helping him develop." McInnes’ confidence in Shankland extends beyond the captaincy.
He highlighted the striker’s positional intelligence, his ability to hold up the ball and bring teammates into play, and his proven track record of finishing chances under pressure. While Shankland has yet to replicate his prolific form from his Hearts days – where he consistently reached the 20‑goal mark each season – the manager believes the Scottish forward’s skill set will eventually translate into regular goal contributions for Rangers. McInnes also stressed the importance of patience, noting that adaptation periods are normal when a player moves clubs, especially when the tactical demands differ. The upcoming Conference League play‑off against Jablonec provides an early test of both Shankland’s leadership and his on‑field impact.
McInnes hinted that the captain’s influence will be evident in the dressing‑room atmosphere, the preparation routines, and the way the team responds to adversity during the match. Even if Shankland starts on the bench, his presence on the touchline and his communication with teammates are expected to lift the squad’s morale and focus.
In addition to the on‑field developments, Rangers continue to enhance their digital outreach, encouraging fans to stream matches via platforms like NOW and Sky Sports, and promoting interactive experiences such as the Super 6 competition, where participants can win up to £250,000. These initiatives aim to deepen supporter engagement while the club navigates a busy fixture schedule that includes domestic league commitments, cup contests, and European qualifiers. Overall, McInnes’ remarks paint a picture of a manager who trusts his players to grow into their roles, values the intangible qualities a captain brings, and remains optimistic that both Shankland and the newly signed Kosta Nedeljković will make meaningful contributions as the season progresses.