Derek McInnes has praised Lawrence Shankland as an outstanding captain who is set to wield a considerable influence at Rangers, irrespective of whether he is named in the starting XI. The Scottish striker, who previously captained under McInnes at Hearts, made the same move to Ibrox during the summer transfer window, taking on the armband in the same capacity. Despite the optimism surrounding his arrival, Shankland has not yet made an immediate impact on the pitch at Govan.
He was listed among the substitutes for Rangers' dominant 5-1 home victory over St Mirren in the League Cup on Sunday, with midfielder Nico Raskin shouldering the captain’s responsibilities for that match. In the lead‑up to the first leg of the UEFA Conference League play‑off against Czech side Jablonec at Ibrox on Thursday, McInnes elaborated on his expectations for Shankland. He explained, "When I spoke to Lawrence I made it clear that wearing the captain’s armband does not guarantee any special treatment, and he accepted that reality. He isn’t going to get upset about it.
Someone has to be the club captain and, having worked with Lawrence before, I know he is a brilliant leader and a wonderful person." McInnes added that the striker brings a wealth of qualities that could be overlooked by casual observers. "You want your captain to influence both on and off the field, and I firmly believe Lawrence will deliver that," he said, emphasizing that the matter is settled in his mind even if fans and pundits continue to debate the captaincy. Shankland’s playing time this season has been limited. He entered the game against St Mirren as a second‑half substitute, marking only his second appearance off the bench for Rangers.
The forward has yet to add to his solitary goal for the club, which came from a penalty against Polish side Jagiellonia in a Europa League qualifier. Nonetheless, McInnes remains untroubled by the lack of minutes.
He commented, "When you have a player like Lawrence, who knows how to find space in the box and finish chances, I don’t lose sleep over his limited minutes. He is too talented not to find the net regularly. He proved that at Hearts, scoring over twenty goals a season, and I trust his instincts will translate here as well." The manager warned against over‑analysis, noting that fans sometimes place too much pressure on a player’s goal tally.
"The best strikers have an instinctive side to their game – everything looks natural and seamless. I have no doubt Lawrence will rediscover that rhythm at Rangers," McInnes asserted. He stressed that the key is to let Shankland play his natural game, trusting his proven track record in the Scottish Premiership.
In other news on the same day, Rangers announced the arrival of 20‑year‑old Serbian international Kosta Nedeljković on a season‑long loan from Aston Villa, with an obligation to purchase at the end of the term. This signing marks McInnes’s eleventh acquisition of the summer and adds competition to the right‑back department, where Nedeljković will vie with Dujon Sterling and Ross McCrorie for playing time. McInnes explained the strategic reasoning behind the move: "We identified the right‑back position as an area needing reinforcement at the start of pre‑season. While Dujon has been reliable, his injury history meant we wanted an alternative profile.
Kosta brings the same enthusiasm and athleticism we see in midfielder Vanja Dragojević, but applied to a full‑back role. He shows quality, eagerness, and a willingness to develop, and we look forward to helping him improve further." The manager’s comments highlight a broader philosophy at Rangers: the emphasis on character, leadership, and the capacity to influence the squad beyond mere statistics. While Shankland’s captaincy may be scrutinised by some, McInnes’s confidence suggests that the club values his temperament and experience as much as his goal‑scoring prowess. The upcoming Conference League tie against Jablonec will provide an early test of Shankland’s leadership on the European stage, and the manager believes that, regardless of the outcome, the captain’s presence will be felt throughout the team.
Overall, Rangers appear to be building a squad that blends proven goal‑getters like Shankland with promising youngsters such as Nedeljković, aiming for a balanced approach that prioritises both immediate results and long‑term development. The club’s supporters can anticipate a season where the captain’s influence extends beyond the final whistle, shaping the team’s culture, work ethic, and on‑field performances.