Derek McInnes has spoken highly of Lawrence Shankland, describing the forward as a "brilliant" captain who will exert a "big influence" at Rangers regardless of whether he starts or comes off the bench. The two first worked together at Heart of Midlothian, where Shankland wore the armband under McInnes, and the manager brought him to Ibrox in the summer, assigning him the same leadership role at the Glasgow club.
Since arriving in Govan, however, Shankland has not enjoyed an immediate, seamless transition. He was an unused substitute in Rangers' 5-1 home League Cup victory over St Mirren on Sunday, with midfielder Nico Raskin temporarily taking the captain's armband for that match. Despite the quiet start, McInnes remains convinced that Shankland's presence will be felt throughout the squad.
In the run‑up to the first leg of the UEFA Conference League play‑off against Czech side Jablonec, scheduled for Thursday at Ibrox, the manager elaborated on his view: "I said that when I spoke to Lawrence. Being captain does not guarantee anything, and he accepted that. He is not going to stamp his feet about it. Somebody has to be club captain and, having worked with Lawrence before, he is a brilliant captain and a brilliant boy.
He has a lot to offer. People can maybe look too much into it. You want your captain to have a big influence on and off the pitch, and I believe Lawrence will have that.
For me, it is a non‑question, although I understand why people might see more in it." Shankland's on‑field contribution this season has been limited so far. He made his second appearance of the campaign as a second‑half substitute against St Mirren, but he was unable to add to his solitary Rangers goal—a penalty scored in the Europa League qualifier against Polish side Jagiellonia. McInnes, however, is not overly concerned. He explained: "When you have a player like Lawrence, who knows his way around the penalty box and how to score goals, I do not worry too much about it.
He is too good not to score regularly. He has consistently shown that over a period of time in the Premiership, with 20‑odd goals a season at Hearts. Sometimes people can overemphasise these things.
For me, it is a case of letting him play his natural game. The best strikers have that instinctive side to their game, where everything looks natural and seamless. I have no doubt he will do well here." The manager's confidence extends beyond Shankland's scoring record. He emphasised the importance of leadership qualities, noting that a captain must influence the team both on the pitch and in the dressing room, set standards in training, and act as a conduit between the manager and the players.
McInnes believes Shankland possesses those traits, drawing on his experience at Hearts where he led by example, worked hard in every session, and maintained a professional attitude that earned the respect of teammates and staff alike. On the same day, Rangers announced a new addition to their defensive ranks: 20‑year‑old Serbian right‑back Kosta Nedeljković, who arrived on a season‑long loan from Aston Villa with an obligation to buy. This signing marks McInnes' eleventh addition during the summer window and is intended to provide competition for established full‑backs Dujon Sterling and Ross McCrorie.
McInnes explained the rationale behind the move: "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 had his history of injuries, so we wanted to bring in a different type of full‑back.
I've got a high opinion of Dujon, but with Kosta you get a player similar to Vanja Dragojević in a full‑back position: 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' comments highlight a broader strategic approach at Rangers: blending experienced leaders like Shankland with youthful prospects such as Nedeljković to create a balanced squad capable of competing on multiple fronts. The manager stressed that the club's success hinges on depth, adaptability, and a shared belief in the team's objectives.
Looking ahead, the upcoming Conference League play‑off against Jablonec will serve as an early test for both Shankland's leadership and the newly signed right‑back. McInnes expects Shankland to lead by example, whether he starts the match or supports his teammates from the bench, while Nedeljković will aim to make an impression in training and potentially earn minutes in cup competitions. The manager's optimism suggests that, despite a modest start, the season's narrative for Rangers remains positive, with the belief that the captain's influence and the fresh talent will combine to drive the club forward in domestic and European contests.