Derek McInnes has spoken highly of Lawrence Shankland, describing him as an exceptional captain whose presence will make a substantial impact at Rangers, regardless of whether he starts every match. Shankland first captained under McInnes at Hearts, and when the manager moved to Ibrox during the summer, the Scottish forward was appointed to the same leadership role at the Glasgow club. Since arriving in Govan, however, Shankland has not enjoyed an immediate burst of form.
He was named among the substitutes for the 5-1 home League Cup victory over St Mirren on Sunday, with midfielder Nico Raskin taking on the captain's armband for that game. Despite the limited minutes, McInnes remains confident that Shankland’s influence will be felt both on and off the pitch. Looking ahead to the first leg of the UEFA Conference League play‑off against Czech side Jablonec at Ibrox on Thursday, the manager explained his philosophy: "When I spoke to Lawrence I made it clear that wearing the captain’s armband does not guarantee a place in the starting eleven, and he understood that perfectly. He isn’t going to make a fuss about it.
Someone has to be the club captain, and having worked with him before, I know he is an outstanding leader and a wonderful person. He brings a lot to the dressing room, and sometimes people read too much into the role. I want a captain who can affect the team in training, during matches and in the wider community, and I am convinced Lawrence will do exactly that.
For me it’s a non‑question, even if others might see it differently." Shankland’s on‑field contributions this season have been modest so far. He made his second substitute appearance of the campaign in the second half of the league win over Saints, but he was unable to add to his lone Rangers goal – a penalty scored against Polish side Jagiellonia in a Europa League qualifier earlier in the year. McInnes, however, remains untroubled by the limited output: "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 games without a goal.
He is a quality striker who should be scoring regularly. He proved that consistently at Hearts, netting around twenty goals each season.
Sometimes the media over‑emphasises short‑term droughts. My job is to let him play his natural game. The best forwards have an instinctive quality that makes everything look effortless, and I have no doubt Lawrence will rediscover that rhythm here." In addition to the captaincy discussion, Rangers confirmed a new signing on the same day. Kosta Nedeljković, a 20‑year‑old Serbian international, joined the club on a season‑long loan from Aston Villa with an obligation to purchase.
This marks McInnes’s eleventh summer acquisition. Nedeljković will compete for the right‑back spot alongside Dujon Sterling and Ross McCrorie. McInnes explained the rationale behind the move: "We identified the right‑back position as an area needing reinforcement at the start of pre‑season.
We explored several options, and while we have relied heavily on Dujon in the past, his injury history meant we wanted a different profile. I have a great deal of respect for Dujon, but Kosta offers a blend of enthusiasm, athleticism and the ability to cover the length of the pitch, similar to what Vanja Dragojević brings in midfield.
He shows quality and a real desire to fulfill the role. As a young player, he still has aspects to develop, and we are eager to help him improve." Overall, McInnes’s comments underline a balanced approach: while acknowledging the symbolic importance of the captain’s armband, he stresses that leadership is demonstrated through actions, attitude and consistency rather than merely a piece of fabric. Shankland’s experience as a former Hearts captain, his work ethic and his proven goal‑scoring record give McInnes confidence that he will become a pivotal figure for Rangers, whether he starts or comes off the bench. The manager also emphasises patience with both Shankland’s scoring form and Nedeljković’s adaptation to Scottish football, trusting that time and the right environment will allow both players to thrive.
The upcoming Conference League play‑off against Jablonec provides an early test of the squad’s cohesion and the new signings’ integration. As Rangers aim to progress in European competition while maintaining domestic ambitions, the blend of seasoned leaders like Shankland and emerging talents such as Nedeljković reflects McInnes’s strategy of building a resilient, adaptable team capable of competing on multiple fronts.