- Kris Boyd urges Rangers to target Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland as part of a leadership-focused summer rebuild.
- Shankland praised for leading Hearts to second place and 250 days top before final-day Celtic defeat.
- Boyd says Rangers need multiple captains and stronger dressing room leadership under Danny Rohl.
Kris Boyd has backed Rangers to consider a bold leadership-driven recruitment strategy this summer, suggesting Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland should be among a small group of proven leaders brought into Ibrox as Danny Rohl reshapes his squad.
Shankland, who led Hearts to a second-place Premiership finish and spent 250 days at the top of the table before a final-day defeat to Celtic at Parkhead, has again underlined his influence as one of the division’s most consistent and authoritative figures.
Lawrence Shankland to lead Rangers by example
Boyd believes that impact should not be underestimated when clubs assess potential signings.
Particularly for a Rangers side he feels requires a stronger leadership core across the dressing room.
“Well, I think you’ve seen what he’s been able to do at Hearts, he leads by example,” Boyd said.
The former Rangers striker went further, arguing that modern squads cannot rely on a single figurehead.
But instead need multiple voices capable of setting standards day-to-day.
Rangers need multiple captains
“I’ve got to be honest with you, I would be looking to bring in two or three captains,” he said.
“You know, I think we, as a group, when I was there, you would look at it and say, yes, Barry Ferguson was your captain, David Weir was your captain.
“But I would say there was another seven or eight that could quite easily have led the dressing room.”
Boyd believes the emphasis is less about hierarchy and more about collective responsibility within the squad environment, particularly at Rangers where expectation is constant and unforgiving.
“There’s enough trouble in football without actually going looking for it,” he said.
“So, if the dressing room completes itself, what difference that makes to you.
“Lawrence going in there, if that is the case, then I’m sure he would help.”
Rangers recruitment beyond Lawrence Shankland
However, Boyd was careful to stress that any move for Shankland would represent a step up in demands.
Even for a player who has already carried responsibility and expectation at Tynecastle.
“There’s one thing, the standards need to be lifted at Ibrox, and at the training centre as well,” he said.
“The more leaders you can get in, the better. I think it would be a big step up, but at the same time, he’s led Hearts this season, and been outstanding at it.”
Boyd concluded by reinforcing his wider point that Rangers’ recruitment should not simply focus on talent alone.
But on character and leadership density across the squad.
“But for me, he would be one of two or three proper leaders that you’d be looking to bring in,” he said.
