Derek McInnes has spoken highly of Lawrence Shankland, calling him an "exceptional" captain who is set to exert a "major influence" at Rangers regardless of whether he is in the starting eleven. The Scottish striker first captained McInnes at Hearts, and when the manager moved to Ibrox during the summer transfer window, Shankland followed and assumed the same leadership role at the Glasgow club. Since arriving in Govan, Shankland’s start has not been as swift as either fans or pundits might have expected. He was named among the substitutes for Rangers' emphatic 5‑1 victory over St Mirren in the League Cup on Sunday, with midfielder Nico Raskin donning the captain’s armband for that match.
Despite the bench role, McInnes remained steadfast in his belief 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, which will be staged at Ibrox on Thursday, McInnes elaborated on his thoughts: "When I spoke to Lawrence, I reminded him that wearing the captain’s armband does not automatically guarantee anything, and he accepted that reality. He isn’t the type to sulk or make a fuss about it.
Someone has to be the club captain, and having worked with Lawrence before, I can attest that he is a brilliant leader and a wonderful individual." He continued, "He brings a lot to the table, and sometimes people read too much into the symbolism of the armband. What I want from my captain is a strong influence both on the pitch and off it, and I am convinced Lawrence will deliver that.
For me, his appointment is a non‑question; I understand why some observers might over‑analyse it, but the facts speak for themselves." Shankland’s on‑field contributions this season have been limited so far. He entered the match against St Mirren as a second‑half substitute, marking only his second appearance off the bench this campaign. He has yet to add to his lone Rangers goal—a penalty scored against Polish side Jagiellonia in a Europa League qualifier. Nevertheless, McInnes expressed a calm optimism about the situation, noting, "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 a few minutes on the bench.
He is simply too talented not to find the net on a regular basis. He proved that over several seasons in the Scottish Premiership, consistently reaching the 20‑goal mark each year while at Hearts." The manager warned against placing excessive pressure on the striker, adding, "Fans and commentators can sometimes over‑emphasise short‑term form, but for me it’s about letting him play his natural game. The best forwards have an instinctive quality that makes their movements look effortless and fluid.
I have no doubt that Lawrence will rediscover that rhythm here at Rangers." In other news on the same day, Rangers announced the arrival of 20‑year‑old Serbian right‑back Kosta Nedeljković on a season‑long loan from Aston Villa, with an obligation to purchase at the end of the term. The signing marks McInnes’ eleventh addition of the summer and introduces fresh competition for the right‑back slot, where Dujon Sterling and Ross McCrorie have been sharing duties.
McInnes explained the strategic reasoning behind the move: "We identified the full‑back position as an area that needed reinforcement early in pre‑season. We evaluated a number of options, and while we have relied heavily on Dujon, his injury history means we wanted a different type of player to broaden our depth. Kosta offers a profile similar to Vanja Dragojević when he operates in midfield—a blend of enthusiasm, athleticism, and the stamina to cover the entire flank." He praised Nedeljković’s attributes, saying, "He shows good quality and a genuine eagerness to embrace the role.
As a young talent, there will always be aspects to improve, but we are excited to help him develop and integrate into the Rangers set‑up." Overall, McInnes’ comments paint a picture of a manager who trusts his players’ character and abilities over short‑term statistics. He believes that Shankland’s leadership, both in the dressing room and when he steps onto the pitch, will be a cornerstone of Rangers’ ambitions this season, whether the team is battling for domestic silverware or preparing for European challenges. At the same time, the addition of a promising defender like Nedeljković signals a forward‑looking approach to squad building, ensuring that the club has the depth and versatility needed to compete on multiple fronts. Fans can look forward to seeing how these developments unfold as Rangers gear up for the crucial Conference League play‑off, while also keeping an eye on the domestic league where the club aims to maintain its strong position at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
The manager’s calm confidence suggests that, despite any early hiccups, the team’s core leadership and new signings will blend to deliver the results expected by the supporters.