Lawrence Shankland, the captain of Rangers, is expected to be sidelined for up to four months while medical staff determine 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 troubled him during his spell at Hearts last season, an injury that kept him out for roughly nine weeks at the time. So far this campaign Shankland has found the net four times in ten league outings, a decent return that underlines his importance to the side. However, his season was abruptly interrupted when he was forced to leave the field early in Rangers' 1‑0 home victory over Motherwell on Saturday.
The decisive goal was supplied by his substitute, Ryan Naderi, who headed in the only tally of the match. In the lead‑up to the upcoming Premiership encounter with St Mirren at Ibrox on Wednesday night, McInnes gave a detailed update on Shankland's condition. He said: "He’s had his scan and it’s confirmed that there’s a tear – a grade‑2C tear, which is essentially the same injury he sustained at Hearts in January. He’s currently in London undergoing an ultrasound and a follow‑up scan.
The purpose of these examinations is to decide, together with a specialist, whether surgery is required or if the tear can be allowed to heal naturally as it did previously." McInnes added that the next 48 hours should bring more clarity: "We’ll have a better idea after the scans and the specialist discussion about how long the recovery will take. From what I understand, if he goes the surgical route we’re looking at an extra three or four weeks of rehabilitation.
Surgery would also reduce the risk of the injury recurring, but the final decision will be made shortly." He continued, "In the best‑case scenario we’re talking about three months out; in the worst case it could stretch to four months. The specialist appointment in London should shed some light on the exact timeframe." The timing of Shankland’s setback is particularly inconvenient for Rangers, who have already been hit by the loss of forward Youssef Chermiti, who suffered an ACL rupture and is expected to be out for a significant period.
Nevertheless, the club has taken steps to reinforce the attack. On deadline day they secured the services of Kevin Kelsy, a striker who arrived for a reported £9 million fee. While Kelsy’s integration is still in its early stages, his presence offers a degree of insurance for the goal‑scoring department.
Bojan Miovski, another forward who joined from Girona last summer, has also struggled to find a consistent rhythm. In his debut season at Ibrox he managed 13 goals across all competitions, averaging a goal roughly every 142 minutes. By comparison, Naderi’s strike rate last season was a goal every 203 minutes, and Shankland’s own numbers under McInnes at Hearts were even more impressive – a goal approximately every 86.5 minutes. McInnes summed up the situation by saying, "We need to support Shankland as we do with every injured player, but losing him and Youssef, both of whom are proven goal‑machines at Premiership level, is a significant blow.
However, setbacks create opportunities for other squad members. We saw that on Saturday when Ryan stepped up and scored, and Kevin Kelsy was introduced to the matchday squad. Bojan Miovski also knows his way around the league, so it isn’t all doom and gloom, but it is certainly disappointing news." The club’s medical team will continue to monitor Shankland’s progress closely. Should the decision be made to operate, he will undergo a standard procedure aimed at repairing the torn muscle fibers and stabilising the area to prevent future recurrences.
Post‑surgery rehabilitation typically involves a structured programme of physiotherapy, strength training, and gradual re‑introduction to full training sessions. If the specialists opt for a non‑surgical approach, the focus will shift to rest, targeted physiotherapy, and a carefully managed return-to-play protocol, similar to the pathway he followed after his previous injury at Hearts. Rangers fans will undoubtedly be hoping for a swift and complete recovery, as Shankland’s leadership on and off the pitch has been a cornerstone of the team’s recent successes.
In the meantime, the coaching staff will have to rely on the depth of their attacking options, rotating Kelsy, Miovski, Naderi and other emerging talents to maintain their competitive edge in the league and domestic cup competitions. As the club navigates this challenging period, the emphasis remains on keeping the squad healthy, preserving morale, and ensuring that the team continues to press for titles despite the absence of two key forwards. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining how Rangers adapt tactically and whether the newly signed players can fill the void left by Shankland and Chermiti. Overall, while the prognosis points to a lengthy lay‑off for the captain, the combination of medical expertise, squad depth, and strategic planning gives Rangers a realistic chance of mitigating the impact and staying on course for a successful season.