Derek McInnes praised Lawrence Shankland as an exceptional leader who will wield a substantial impact at Rangers, irrespective of whether he is named in the starting eleven. The Scottish forward first captained McInnes at Heart of Midlothian and accompanied his manager to Ibrox during the summer transfer window, assuming the same armband duties at the Glasgow club.
Since arriving in Govan, Shankland has struggled to find his footing immediately. He was an unused substitute during Rangers' 5-1 home victory over St Mirren in the League Cup on Sunday, with midfielder Nico Raskin temporarily shouldering the captaincy for that match.
Nevertheless, McInnes remained steadfast in his belief that Shankland’s influence extends far beyond the minutes he spends on the pitch. In the lead‑up to the first leg of the UEFA Conference League play‑off against Czech side Jablonec, scheduled for Thursday at Ibrox, the manager explained his perspective: "I told Lawrence that wearing the captain’s armband does not guarantee anything, 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 captain and a brilliant young man.
He brings a lot to the table, and people might read too much into the symbolism of the band. What matters is that the captain influences the team both on and off the field, and I am convinced Lawrence will do exactly that. For me, it’s a non‑question, even if some observers look for deeper meaning." Shankland’s on‑field contributions have been modest so far. He made his second substitute appearance of the season in the second half of the match against St Mirren but failed to add to his solitary Rangers goal, which came from a penalty against Polish side Jagiellonia in a Europa League qualifier.
Despite this, McInnes expressed calm confidence in his striker’s abilities: "When you have a player like Lawrence, who knows how to find space in the box and finish chances, I don’t worry excessively. He is too talented not to score regularly. He has demonstrated that consistently in the Premiership, netting around twenty goals a season at Hearts. Sometimes the media over‑emphasises short‑term droughts.
For me, it’s about letting him play his natural game. The best strikers possess an instinctive quality that makes everything look effortless and seamless. I have no doubt he will thrive here." The manager also addressed recent defensive reinforcement news. Earlier in the day, Rangers announced the acquisition 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’ eleventh addition during the summer window and creates competition for the right‑back slot alongside Dujon Sterling and Ross McCrorie. McInnes elaborated on the rationale behind the move: "We identified the right‑back position as an area needing depth at the start of pre‑season. We evaluated several options.
The club has relied heavily on Dujon, who has struggled with injuries, so we wanted a different type of full‑back. I hold Dujon in high regard, but Kosta offers a profile similar to midfielder Vanja Dragojević when deployed further back: genuine enthusiasm, athleticism, and the stamina to cover the entire flank.
He shows quality and a real eagerness to fulfil the role. As a young player, there will still be aspects to develop, and we look forward to helping him improve." Overall, McInnes’ comments underline a broader philosophy: leadership is measured by influence rather than ceremonial duties, and a player’s intrinsic qualities will ultimately determine success. While Shankland’s early season statistics may not yet reflect his potential, the manager trusts that his experience, work ethic, and natural goal‑scoring instincts will soon translate into consistent contributions for Rangers. The upcoming European fixture against Jablonec will provide another platform for both Shankland and the newly signed Kosta to demonstrate their value, while the squad as a whole aims to sustain the momentum built from recent domestic triumphs.