BBC Sport reports that Rangers captain Lawrence Shankland, 31, is targeting a return to action in early December following hamstring surgery. The midfielder suffered the injury during a match against Motherwell in early September and has been working toward his recovery since undergoing the procedure.
Manager Derek McInnes is preparing his squad for Wednesday evening's fixture against Hearts at Tynecastle, with both Shankland and team-mate Cammy Devlin expected to contribute to preparations by sharing insights with the playing group about facing their former club, despite their current unavailability for selection.
The Rangers captain's injury came shortly after he was appointed to the captaincy in July 2026, replacing James Tavernier just two months into his tenure at Ibrox following his move from Hearts.
Transfer speculation in Scottish football
Former Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew has suggested that defender Anthony Ralston, 27, may depart the Scottish champions during the January transfer window. Ralston has been a regular fixture in Celtic's squad and his potential departure would represent a significant change in the club's defensive setup.
Refereeing controversy
Former official Des Roache has voiced criticism regarding Scottish head of referees Willie Collum's management of whistler Matthew McDermid. The criticism centres on McDermid's recent decision to award Partick Thistle a penalty in their 1-0 victory at Ayr United, a decision that has been widely questioned within football circles as controversial.
