Lawrence Shankland, the captain of Rangers, is facing an extended spell on the sidelines that could last anywhere from three to four months, depending on the outcome of further medical assessments. The 31‑year‑old striker, who has been a pivotal figure for the club this season, is awaiting the results of an ultrasound scan in London to determine whether surgery will be required or if the injury can heal naturally, as it did after a similar setback last year. Manager Derek McInnes confirmed that Shankland has suffered a recurrence of the same problem that first sidelined him while he was playing for Hearts last season. At that time, the injury kept him out for roughly nine weeks.
This season, Shankland has already contributed four goals in ten appearances for Rangers, underlining his importance to the team’s attacking options. However, his progress was abruptly halted during Rangers' 1‑0 home victory over Motherwell on Saturday, when he was forced to leave the field early due to the renewed issue. His substitute, Ryan Naderi, stepped in and went on to score the match‑winning goal. Ahead of the upcoming Premiership clash with St Mirren at Ibrox on Wednesday night, McInnes elaborated on the situation: "He’s had his scan and it’s confirmed that he’s suffered a tear.
It’s a grade‑2C tear, very similar to the one he sustained at Hearts in January. He’s currently in London for an ultrasound and a follow‑up scan, which will help us and the specialist decide whether he needs an operation or if we can let it recover on its own, as we did previously." McInnes added that the next 48 hours should provide a clearer picture.
"If surgery is the route we take, we’re looking at an additional three or four weeks of recovery. Surgery would also reduce the risk of a repeat injury, but either way it’s going to be a significant period out of action," he said. "In the best‑case scenario we’re talking about three months; the worst‑case could be four months.
The specialist’s opinion should give us more certainty." The timing of Shankland’s injury is particularly inconvenient for Rangers, who have already been hit by the loss of forward Youssef Chermiti, sidelined for an extended period after tearing his ACL. Nevertheless, the club has taken steps to bolster its attacking options.
On the final day of the transfer window, Rangers secured the signing of Kevin Kelsy, a £9 million striker, which should mitigate some of the concerns surrounding depth up front. Additionally, Bojan Miovski, who joined from Girona last summer, remains available, although he has struggled to cement a regular starting berth. Miovski finished his first season at Ibrox with 13 goals across all competitions, averaging a goal every 142 minutes, while Naderi’s average last season was a goal every 203 minutes.
For context, Shankland’s own scoring rate under McInnes at Hearts was exceptional – a goal roughly every 86.5 minutes – highlighting the quality he brings when fit. The manager stressed the importance of supporting injured players and acknowledged the blow that losing both Shankland and Chermiti represents. "When key goal‑scorers are unavailable, it creates opportunities for other squad members," McInnes noted.
He pointed to Saturday’s match as an example, where Ryan Naderi stepped up and Kevin Kelsy made his debut, illustrating the depth that exists within the squad. While the club will undoubtedly feel the absence of its captain and leading striker, there are reasons for optimism. The presence of Kelsy, Miovski, and the emerging talent of Naderi provides a range of alternatives to keep Rangers competitive in the Premiership. Moreover, the coaching staff will likely adjust tactics to accommodate the available personnel, perhaps emphasizing a more collective attacking approach rather than relying on a single focal point.
In terms of the medical process, a grade‑2C muscle tear typically involves a moderate rupture of muscle fibers without a complete break. Recovery can vary widely based on factors such as the player’s age, previous injury history, and the chosen treatment pathway.
Conservative management—rest, physiotherapy, and gradual load‑bearing—can sometimes see athletes return to full training within a few weeks, but the risk of re‑injury remains if the tissue has not fully regenerated. Surgical intervention, on the other hand, aims to repair the damaged fibers directly, potentially shortening the overall rehabilitation timeline but requiring a more structured post‑operative program.
Given Shankland’s track record of returning strongly from a similar injury, the medical team will weigh the benefits of surgery against the natural healing route. Should they opt for surgery, the projected additional three‑to‑four‑week recovery period mentioned by McInnes would likely be added to the baseline healing time, pushing the total absence toward the upper end of the three‑to‑four‑month estimate. If the decision is to forego surgery, a more gradual, conservative approach could still see him miss a comparable period, especially if the club wishes to avoid any chance of a relapse. Fans will be keenly watching for updates over the next couple of days, as the specialist’s assessment in London is expected to shape the next steps for both Shankland and the club’s forward planning.
In the meantime, Rangers will continue to rely on the depth of their attacking roster, hoping that the contributions from Kelsy, Miovski, and Naderi can offset the loss of their captain during this challenging period.