Lawrence Shankland, the captain of Rangers, is expected to be sidelined for as long as four months while medical staff assess whether he will need an operation. Manager Derek McInnes confirmed that the 31‑year‑old forward has suffered a recurrence of the same problem that first emerged during his spell at Hearts last season, a setback that previously kept him out for roughly nine weeks. So far this campaign Shankland has found the net four times in ten appearances for the Glasgow side, but his season was abruptly halted when he was forced to leave the field early in Saturday's 1‑0 home victory over Motherwell.
His substitute, Ryan Naderi, went on to score the decisive goal, securing the three points for the team. Ahead of the upcoming Premiership clash with St Mirren at Ibrox on Wednesday night, McInnes explained the situation in detail: "He’s had his scan and the results confirm a tear. It’s a grade‑2C tear, very similar to the injury he sustained at Hearts in January.
He’s currently in London undergoing an ultrasound and a follow‑up scan so the specialists can decide whether surgery is required or if the injury can be allowed to heal naturally, as it did the previous time." The manager added that they should have a clearer picture within the next 48 hours after the specialist consultation. "If surgery is the route we take, we’re looking at an additional three to four weeks of recovery.
However, opting for surgery does reduce the chance of a repeat problem. In the best‑case scenario we’re talking about three months out, while the worst‑case could stretch to four months. The London appointment should give us more certainty," McInnes said.
While Shankland’s absence is a blow, Rangers have already taken steps to reinforce their attacking options. On deadline day the club secured the signing of Kevin Kelsy, a forward who arrived for a fee of around £9 million. Moreover, Ryan Naderi, who came off the bench to score the winner against Motherwell, has shown that depth exists within the squad.
The injury comes on the heels of another significant setback: young striker Youssef Chermiti is out for a prolonged period after suffering an ACL rupture. This adds further pressure on the forward line, which already includes Bojan Miovski.
Miovski, who joined from Girona last summer, has struggled to cement a regular starting berth, despite a respectable return of 13 goals across all competitions in his first season – a strike rate of a goal every 142 minutes. By comparison, Naderi’s average last season was a goal every 203 minutes, while Shankland’s rate under McInnes at Hearts was an impressive goal every 86.5 minutes. McInnes emphasized the need for the squad to rally around its injured teammates: "We’ll support Lawrence and Youssef as we do with any player on the treatment table. Losing two proven goal‑scorers at Premiership level is certainly a setback, but it also creates opportunities for other players.
We saw that on Saturday with Ryan’s goal and Kevin’s introduction. Bojan knows the league well, so it isn’t all doom and gloom, but the news is disappointing nonetheless." In practical terms, the medical team will continue to monitor Shankland’s condition closely. The ultrasound will provide a detailed view of the muscle fibers, while the specialist will weigh the benefits of surgical repair against a conservative rehabilitation program. Should surgery be recommended, the procedure would likely involve repairing the torn muscle tissue and then a structured physiotherapy regimen aimed at restoring strength, flexibility, and match fitness.
Recovery timelines for a grade‑2C tear typically range from eight to twelve weeks post‑operation, followed by a gradual re‑introduction to training. If the decision is to forego surgery, a more extended period of rest and targeted physiotherapy will be required, potentially extending the overall lay‑off to the four‑month mark. Rangers’ coaching staff will need to adjust their tactical plans during Shankland’s absence.
The team may rely more heavily on a fluid front line, rotating Kelsy, Miovski, and Naderi to maintain attacking potency. Set‑piece routines could also be tweaked to compensate for the loss of Shankland’s aerial presence and link‑up play. Fans will be watching closely to see how the squad copes with the double injury blow, especially as the club continues its push for domestic silverware and a strong finish in the league. Overall, while the prognosis points to a significant period out of action for the captain, Rangers have depth and recent signings that could mitigate the impact.
The next 48 hours will be crucial in determining the exact treatment path and the timeline for Shankland’s return to the Ibrox pitch.