- Colin Hendry backs Lawrence Shankland as potential Rangers captain following James Tavernier’s departure.
- Shankland expected to complete move to Rangers before linking with Scotland squad.
- Kris Boyd echoes leadership concerns, urging multiple captains to strengthen Rangers dressing room.
Former Rangers defender Colin Hendry believes Lawrence Shankland is already equipped to become Rangers captain amid growing expectation the striker is closing in on a move to Ibrox.
Hendry joined the club in 1998 under Dick Advocaat, winning the treble in his debut season before departing for Coventry during his second.
The former Scotland international insists Shankland possesses the leadership qualities required to fill the void at Ibrox.
One left behind by departing skipper James Tavernier after the defender ended his 11-year stay in Glasgow this summer.
Shankland is expected to complete his move to Rangers within 48 hours.
This will come before linking up with Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad ahead of the World Cup warm-up fixture against Curacao at Hampden.
His arrival would hand new Rangers manager Danny Rohl one of the Premiership’s most influential figures, and Hendry believes the striker could immediately take on even greater responsibility.
Colin Hendry backs Lawrence Shankland for Rangers captaincy
“He is more than equipped to lead,” Hendry said to Clyde 1. “That would be a statement right away.
“I think it would be a very high possibility of him becoming Rangers captain.”
The debate surrounding Rangers’ next captain has intensified following Tavernier’s departure.
With the club preparing to appoint a new permanent skipper for the first time since the former defender succeeded Lee Wallace in 2018.
Kris Boyd believes Lawrence Shankland would be Ibrox leader
Hendry’s comments echo recent remarks from former Rangers striker Kris Boyd.
Who also argued that leadership must become a priority during the club’s summer rebuild.
Speaking during an Ibrox Q&A, Boyd suggested Rangers require multiple authoritative voices within the dressing room rather than relying solely on one captain figure.
“I think you’ve seen what he’s been able to do at Hearts, to lead by example,” Boyd said.
“I’ve got to be honest with you; I would be looking to bring in two or three captains.
“When I was there, you would look at it and say, yes, Barry 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.”
Boosting Ibrox standards
Boyd believes Rangers have lacked enough strong personalities in recent seasons and warned standards at both Ibrox and the training ground must improve if the club are to reclaim domestic dominance.
“There’s enough trouble in football without actually going looking for it,” he added.
“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.
“But there’s one thing, the standards need to be lifted at Ibrox, and at the training centre as well.
“And, you know, the more leaders you can get in, the better.”
Despite acknowledging the step up in scrutiny and expectation that comes with representing Rangers, Boyd insisted Shankland has already demonstrated the temperament required during his time at Tynecastle.
“I think it would be a big step up,” he admitted.
“But at the same time, he’s led Hearts this season, or the last couple of seasons, and been outstanding at it,” Boyd continued.
“But for me, he would be one of two or three proper leaders that you’d be looking to bring in.”
Replacing James Tavernier
Rangers’ pursuit of Shankland has intensified following Tavernier’s exit.
Wth the Scotland international viewed internally as both a proven goalscorer and a dressing-room leader capable of helping reshape the culture at the club under Rohl.
“With Lawrence, the captain of his team, you’ve got to look at these boys,” Boyd said.
“I don’t know how much it would cost, but if they just can get a deal done there then I would be delighted.”
The leadership debate at Rangers is effectively becoming as significant as the recruitment itself.
Readrangers.com analysis – Jack Cranmer
Hendry’s endorsement of Shankland as a potential captain is less about symbolism and more about structural need.
With Tavernier gone after more than a decade, Rangers are not just replacing a player, they are replacing an entire leadership void.
However, the captaincy discussion risks running ahead of recruitment reality. Shankland’s leadership credentials at Hearts are established, but Rangers’ expectations, media pressure, and weekly scrutiny represent a different operational environment entirely.
Being a leader at Hearts is not automatically equivalent to being the primary standard-bearer at Ibrox.
The underlying takeaway is that Rangers are attempting a dual rebuild.
Squad quality and dressing-room hierarchy.
Hendry’s comments underline a belief that Shankland could accelerate both, but the more critical issue is whether Rangers can assemble enough leadership density to avoid over-reliance on any single new arrival.
In short, Shankland may be part of the solution, but the leadership problem at Rangers is broader than one signing.
