At the start of summer, Rangers announced the signing of Lawrence Shankland from Hearts and after 16 goals last season, the striker was already favoured to start up front for the Gers.
Derek McInnes announced on Wednesday that Shankland would become captain for the upcoming 2026/27 season.
So, with Shankland set to play most weeks for Rangers, what does this mean for the rest of the strikers?
Youssef Chermiti still in play
Youssef Chermiti has been linked to several clubs such as Lyon, Porto and PSV, however, it’s unlikely that he will leave unless a big money bid comes in.
Chermiti was Rangers’ top goal scorer in the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership, but fans were asking more from him.
When it came to the big games, he turned up and was eager to hit the back of the net but fell short in games against the bottom of the league. Most notably in the 2-2 draw against Livingston in February.
While skipper Shankland is expected to play up front, Chermiti still has the opportunity to either play alongside him in a wider role or be a part of the two up front depending on McInnes’ formation choices.
Where does this leave Naderi and Miovski?
Ryan Naderi joined the Gers in January of this year. He scored his first and only league goal in a win against Dundee United in April. In that same match, Naderi was taken off with a muscle injury; he would appear only once after that.
It is unclear where Naderi will fit into McInnes’ squad.
However, we have yet to see the full potential of the player within Naderi, but in a team with Shankland and Chermiti, it will be difficult to split that partnership.
The former Hansa Rostock man must rise to that challenge.
Miovski struggling to see light at Rangers
With Shankland now in the picture, Bojan Miovski could see himself drop to fourth pick for a starting spot.
After an impressive performance in a closed-door friendly against Dunfermline, scoring a goal, it leaves him wondering what else he must do for a run of games.
Rangers bought Miovski on a four-year deal from Girona last August, and in his one season here he made 40 appearances and scored 13 goals across all competitions.
The striker knows more is required and in a recent interview with Flashscore, he said:
“I spent more time on the bench than on the pitch during the second half of the season, but I think that 13 goals overall is still a decent return.
“Of course, every player would like to play more and be in the starting lineup rather than on the bench, and that was the main idea upon me joining the club.”
Miovski clearly showed last season he has the ability to finish, but does this impress McInnes enough to start him alongside or even ahead of Shankland on occasions?
With the second-round match of the Premier Sports Cup coming up against St Mirren, this should present Naderi, Miovski or both the chance to stake their claim as a regular Rangers striker.
