Derek McInnes has publicly praised Lawrence Shankland, calling him an "exceptional" captain who is set to wield a "substantial influence" at Rangers regardless of whether he starts every match. Shankland first wore the armband under McInnes at Heart of Midlothian, and when the manager moved to Ibrox during the summer transfer window, the striker followed and was immediately handed the same leadership role.
Despite the vote of confidence, Shankland’s start at the Glasgow club has not been instantaneous. In the recent 5-1 League Cup victory over St Mirren, he was named among the substitutes, with midfielder Nico Raskin stepping in as captain for the game. The decision sparked discussion among supporters, but McInnes was quick to clarify his expectations. Speaking ahead of Rangers’ first‑leg UEFA Conference League play‑off against Czech side Jablonec, he said: "I told Lawrence that being captain 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 hold the official captain’s badge, and having worked with him before, I know he is an outstanding leader and a wonderful young man." McInnes continued, "He brings a lot to the table, and sometimes people read too much into the captaincy.
I want a captain who can affect the team both on the pitch and off it, and I truly believe Lawrence will do that. For me it’s a non‑issue, even if the media tries to make a bigger story out of it." Shankland’s on‑field contributions have been modest so far. He made his second appearance of the season as a second‑half substitute against St Mirren and was unable to add to his only goal for Rangers – a penalty scored against Polish side Jagiellonia in a Europa League qualifier earlier in the campaign.
Nevertheless, McInnes remained calm and optimistic. "When you have a player like Lawrence, who knows how to find space in the box and finish chances, I’m not overly concerned about his minutes.
He’s a quality striker who should be scoring regularly. He proved that at Hearts, netting around 20 goals a season in the Scottish Premiership," the manager explained. He added that the pressure of expectations can be overstated.
"People sometimes over‑emphasise a lack of goals, but for me it’s about letting him play his natural game. The best forwards have an instinctive side – everything looks effortless and fluid. I have no doubt Lawrence will rediscover that rhythm here." 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 buy at the end of the term. This signing marks McInnes’ eleventh addition during the summer window and creates competition for the right‑back slot alongside Dujon Sterling and Ross McCrorie.
Speaking about the new acquisition, McInnes said, "We identified the right‑back position as a priority at the start of 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. I have great respect for Dujon, but Kosta brings a profile similar to midfielder Vanja Dragojević – high energy, athleticism and the ability to cover the whole flank.
He shows quality and a real eagerness to play the role. As a youngster, there are still areas for improvement, and we’re excited to help him develop." McInnes’ comments underline a broader philosophy at Rangers: leadership and talent are valued, but the manager prefers to let players express their innate abilities without excessive scrutiny. While Shankland adjusts to life at Ibrox and works to translate his proven goal‑scoring record from Hearts into the Rangers setup, the club’s recent signings suggest a proactive approach to squad depth and competition.
The upcoming Conference League play‑off against Jablonec will provide an early test of both Shankland’s influence and the team’s cohesion under McInnes’ guidance. Whether he leads from the touchline or from the bench, the manager’s confidence signals that the captain’s role is as much about setting standards and motivating teammates as it is about wearing the armband on match day.
As the season unfolds, Rangers fans can expect to see Shankland’s leadership manifest in subtle ways – through his work ethic in training, his communication with younger players, and his presence in the dressing room – all of which, according to McInnes, will be vital to the club’s ambitions both domestically and in Europe.