{"id":260183,"date":"2026-08-29T16:10:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-29T16:10:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/29\/forget-about-shankland-7m-rangers-target-can-become-ibroxs-new-talisman\/"},"modified":"2026-08-29T16:10:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-29T16:10:11","slug":"forget-about-shankland-7m-rangers-target-can-become-ibroxs-new-talisman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/29\/forget-about-shankland-7m-rangers-target-can-become-ibroxs-new-talisman\/","title":{"rendered":"Forget about Shankland: \u00a37m Rangers target can become Ibrox’s new talisman"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

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It felt like Glasgow Rangers<\/a> were making a real statement earlier this summer, having swooped in to pluck Lawrence Shankland<\/a> from Tynecastle ahead of the World Cup.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Once on the books at Ibrox as a youngster, Shankland’s return to Glasgow had been a long while in the making, having looked almost certain to make the switch a year earlier.<\/p>\n

As it proved, the Gers proceeded to sign three strikers over the next six months, only to end up back at the Scotland star’s door again, pouncing on the chance to lift him from his Hearts contract.<\/p>\n

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\n \n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Having since seen Derek McInnes<\/a> follow him to the Gers, it felt like a match made in heaven. It’s been anything but so far.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n Why Shankland woes sum up Rangers’ season so far<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

Bringing in McInnes and Shankland, following their title charge last season in Edinburgh, appeared to be a case of the Ibrox board sending a message. They wanted to build a team capable of winning now<\/em>, rather than in a few years time.<\/p>\n

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\"derek-mcinnes-rangers\"\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/Jason Cairnduff<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

The former Jambos skipper had hit 16 Premiership goals across 2025\/26, maintaining his remarkably consistent form at this level. He looked to be exactly what this Rangers team was crying out for.<\/p>\n

Fast forward just a matter of months and it certainly hasn’t panned out as expected, with even a move that was considered a sure thing having gone sideways so far.<\/p>\n

In all, Shankland has scored only once in a Rangers shirt to date, starting from the bench on four occasions already, with McInnes shifting to just one up top.<\/p>\n

The decision to install the 31-year-old as captain is now coming under the microscope as a result of his reduced role, epitomising what has been a desperately poor summer for the club so far.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Premiership 25\/26 – Goals per 90<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

\n

Player<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

GP90<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Goals<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Chermiti<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.68<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

15<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Stamatelopoulous<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.62<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Shankland<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.58<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

16<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Nygren<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.57<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

16<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Maswanhise<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.53<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

17<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Bokila<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.50<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Miovski<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.48<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

7<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

B. Graham<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.46<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Bowie<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.45<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

8<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Dolcek<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.45<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

Out of Europe and currently eight points behind rivals Celtic at the summit as things stand, albeit having played a game less, McInnes is giving Russell Martin a run for his money in terms of rotten starts in the Ibrox dugout.<\/p>\n

Even his former talisman, Shankland, doesn’t look likely to bail him out of trouble. Can anyone?<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n The signing Rangers need to make to save their season<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

The 54-year-old coach may plead for patience after overseeing a squad overhaul this summer, but he can’t argue with the fact that the club just aren’t seeing a return on their investment at present.<\/p>\n