Scotland striker Shankland named Rangers captain

ByNick McPheat

BBC Sport Scotland

Lawrence Shankland says being named Rangers captain has exceeded the dream he had of playing for his boyhood team.

The 30-year-old striker only joined the club two months ago from Hearts, where he also wore the armband and scored 88 goals in 171 games.

The Scotland forward succeeds previous long-serving captain James Tavernier, who led the Ibrox side to a Europa League final and won the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup and League Cup during his 11 years in Govan.

The news comes two days before Derek McInnes' side starts their league campaign at Dundee United on Friday (20:00 BST).

"As a lifelong supporter, it was a dream to be here in the first place, but to get the opportunity to captain the club is a huge honour," Shankland said.

"I believe since I've come here the only way I've learned how to behave around the place is to act like a captain and be a leader within the group.

"I always look to myself to set examples on the training pitch and do things properly around the place.

"It's not just myself - Dan Neil and Ben Godfrey are experienced players who have been around clubs and have been captains. It's about all of us setting examples."

Former captain Tavernier was often the fall guy among the support for Rangers' failings, despite arguably being the club's best player over the past decade.

Criticism often felt unfair, but Shankland acknowledges that scrutiny comes with wearing the armband of such a demanding club.

Supporters of the Ibrox side have long called for the signing of the striker for his goalscoring ability, but his experience in Scottish football and status as a boyhood fan will also tick boxes in their eyes.

Rangers now have a manager in the dugout and a captain on the pitch who the fans feel 'get it', and Shankland insists he is prepared to shoulder the scrutiny if it means he has the chance to become a successful captain at Ibrox.

"At times when things are difficult, people do look to the captain to answer for the squad," Shankland said. "That's something I'll need to be responsible for.

"But on the flip side of that, the rewards of being successful at this football club, and being a successful captain, far outweigh [the potential scrutiny] by miles."

Ibrox boss McInnes added: "The advantage Lawrence had is that I've got evidence of how well he runs a dressing room from Hearts.

"He's got the experience. We're still quite a young dressing room. He knows the club, supported the club, and knows what's expected of him and me and the team."

Friday, 31 July (20:00 BST)

Tannadice Park

McInnes hopes the appeal lodged against his four-game ban for comments made about a controversial penalty awarded to Celtic last season will allow him to be on the touchline on Friday night.

The Rangers manager wants his players to embrace a challenging opening fixture and also hopes to have two new additions by the time his side travel to Tannadice.

One of those is expected to be South Africa centre-back Olwethu Makhanya, who is closing in on a move from Philadelphia Union, while the other is "quite an important one for us position-wise", McInnes revealed.

The Ibrox boss has been seeking defensive reinforcements, but John Souttar could be on his way out of the club.

McInnes said the Scotland centre-back "might have one or two options" and could leave to get regular game time.

A deal has been agreed for winger Oliver Antman to leave after a year at Rangers, but the club have received no contact regarding Nicolas Raskin, who will return on Thursday after an impressive World Cup with Belgium.

Meanwhile, midfield duo Thelo Aasgaard and Cammy Devlin are expected to be fit for Friday's match after taking knocks in the friendly draw with West Ham United.