Lawrence Shankland says being named Rangers captain has exceeded the dream he had of playing for his boyhood team. The 30-year-old striker, who joined the club two months ago from Hearts, succeeds James Tavernier as skipper as Rangers prepare to begin their league campaign.
Shankland arrives at Ibrox after a successful spell at Hearts, where he also wore the armband and scored 88 goals in 171 games. He now takes over from Tavernier, the long-serving captain who led the club to a Europa League final and won the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup and League Cup during his 11 years in Govan.
The announcement comes two days before Derek McInnes' side start their league campaign at Dundee United on Friday at 20:00 BST. The Scotland forward said the appointment was a major moment in his career and described it as a significant honour.
“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.”
Shankland also pointed to the influence of other experienced players in the squad, including Dan Neil and Ben Godfrey, saying leadership is a shared responsibility. He said those players have been around clubs and have previously been captains, and that the group must set examples together.
What does this mean for Rangers before the season starts?
It means Rangers go into their opening Scottish Premiership fixture with a new captain in place and a leadership group that now includes Shankland, Neil and Godfrey. The change adds further focus to the trip to Dundee United, where Derek McInnes' side begin their league campaign on Friday at 20:00 BST.
Who is taking over from James Tavernier?
James Tavernier is the player Shankland replaces as captain after 11 years at the club. During that time, Tavernier led Rangers to a Europa League final and won the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup and League Cup.
How can fans follow the Dundee United game?
Fans can listen to live match commentary of the opening match of the new Scottish Premiership season on and watch highlights on the BBC .
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