Derek McInnes praised Lawrence Shankland as an outstanding captain who will exert a major impact at Rangers regardless of whether he is in the starting XI. The Scottish forward first captained McInnes at Hearts and followed his former manager to Ibrox during the summer, where he was handed the same armband. Yet his arrival in Glasgow has not been an immediate fireworks display; he was named on the bench for 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 view: “I told Lawrence that being captain does not guarantee a place in the team, and he accepted that. He isn’t going to get upset about it. Somebody has to be the club captain and, having worked with Lawrence before, I know he is a brilliant leader and a wonderful person.” He added, “He has a lot to offer and people sometimes read too much into the role. I want my captain to influence the squad both on and off the pitch, and I am confident Lawrence will do just that.” McInnes was clear that the captaincy is not a ticket to automatic selection.
“For me it’s a non‑question – the captain must earn his spot each week. I understand why fans might read more into it, but the reality is that performance on the field matters most.” Shankland’s on‑field contributions have been modest so far. He made his second substitute appearance of the season in the second half of the win over St Mirren but failed to add to his lone Rangers goal, which came from a penalty against Polish side Jagiellonia in a Europa League qualifier. Despite the limited minutes, McInnes remained calm.
“When you have a player like Lawrence, who knows how to find space in the box and finish chances, I don’t worry. He is too talented not to score regularly. He proved that at Hearts, netting around twenty goals a season.” The manager warned against over‑analysis. “People can over‑emphasise a dip in form, but for me it’s about letting him play his natural game.
The best strikers have an instinctive side that makes everything look effortless. I have no doubt he will rediscover his scoring touch here.” In other news, Rangers announced the arrival of 20‑year‑old Serbian international Kosta Nedeljković on a season‑long loan from Aston Villa, with an obligation to buy.
The signing marks McInnes’s eleventh addition of the summer and adds competition for the right‑back slot alongside Dujon Sterling and Ross McCrorie. McInnes explained the rationale: “We identified that position early in pre‑season and explored several options.
The club has relied heavily on Dujon, who has struggled with injuries, so we wanted a different type of full‑back. Kosta brings the same enthusiasm and athleticism we see in midfielder Vanja Dragojević, but applied to a defensive role.” He continued, “Kosta shows good quality and a real eagerness to fulfil the responsibilities of a full‑back. As a young player he still has areas to develop, and we are excited to help him improve.” The manager’s confidence in both Shankland and Nedeljković reflects a broader philosophy at Rangers: prioritize character, work ethic, and the ability to influence the squad culture as much as raw talent.
McInnes believes that a captain’s influence extends beyond the ninety minutes, shaping training intensity, morale, and the overall professionalism of the group. In that sense, Shankland’s leadership could be as valuable as any goal he scores. While the Scottish Premiership continues, Rangers fans can also enjoy the league on Sky Sports and stream matches via NOW. The club’s upcoming fixtures, including the crucial Conference League play‑off against Jablonec, will test how quickly Shankland settles into his dual role as leader and striker.
If he can translate his proven goal‑scoring instincts from his Hearts days into consistent contributions for Rangers, the team’s attacking options will be significantly bolstered. In summary, McInnes remains optimistic that Shankland’s captaincy will bring a positive influence both on the field and in the dressing room, even if his start‑lineup status is still being earned. At the same time, the addition of a promising young full‑back in Nedeljković shows the club’s commitment to strengthening depth and fostering competition.
The upcoming weeks will reveal whether these strategic moves translate into the desired results for the Glasgow side.