Derek McInnes has made up his mind on who will become the next Rangers captain but is yet to share which player will lead the team out.
Captaining Rangers is nothing easy, the task at hand oversees leading one of the most successful football clubs in the world. With passionate die-hard fans and a big reputation, it is a hard job.
After winning only three major trophies in eight years as captain, former skipper James Tavernier will tell you how difficult it truly gets.
With Friday’s season opener against Dundee United around the corner, it leaves the big question – who will become the next Rangers captain?
Who deserves to be the next Rangers captain?
In April last season, the long-serving James Tavernier announced he would be leaving the club.
His departure has left a void in more ways than one, but who will assume his role as captain?
Raskin, Sterling, Souttar, and Kelly are amongst some of the squad who have captained Rangers in a game previously.
However, is it time for something new, something fresh at the club?
When the signing of Lawrence Shankland was announced in May, many thought he would be the perfect fit.
A previous captain of Hearts but grew up as a Rangers fan and knows what it is like to play for Rangers.
Playing in the Premiership for as long as he has would also be a big advantage to becoming the leader at Rangers, understanding the flow and tempo of the Scottish game.
Also, with an outside perspective, he could address the flaws in the team that he would have witnessed when playing against Rangers in recent seasons.
Fresh leadership this summer
New signings Ben Godfrey and Dan Neil have had their turn of captaining Rangers in the pre-season friendlies.
Neil led Sunderland in the 2024/25 season, leading them to promotion to the Premier League. This shows that he has the heart and desire to win with a team and take them to the top.
Godfrey wore the captain’s armband against St Etienne, however, being on loan, is it suitable to give him leadership for just one year and then possibly have to rebuild again next season?
With the core leadership group of Tavernier and Butland gone, as well as Raskin strongly rumoured to be leaving, this gives McInnes the opportunity to start fresh.
The big call is with McInnes to reveal.
It is time for Rangers to come into a new season with a completely new mentality, devoid of previous scar tissue.
Picking Shankland, a true leader and someone the fans are already behind, would make sense to me.
He not only understands the club but can bring something new and never thought of before. Led by McInnes, they could take this new Rangers team to another level.
Regardless of who McInnes picks, the important thing is that they have a winning mentality and can take this Rangers team to victory, unlike the false dawns of the past few seasons.
