Rangers brace for months without Shankland after hamstring setback
Rangers lost their captain Lawrence Shankland to a hamstring injury early in their 1‑0 Scottish Premiership win over Motherwell at Ibrox on 5 September 2026, and manager Derek McInnes warned the 31‑year‑old could be sidelined for MONTHS while a scan is arranged.
Shankland pulled up on the halfway line in the early stages of the match and was replaced by Ryan Naderi in the eighth minute. The substitute soon found the net, scoring the only goal in the 12th minute. McInnes later confirmed the striker walked straight up the tunnel after the injury.
McInnes also gave £9million signing Kevin Kelsy a brief cameo towards the end of the game. With Youssef Chermiti already ruled out for the season, the manager said his thoughts were centred on Shankland’s welfare ahead of a scan.
Second‑half turning points
The 23‑year‑old Naderi’s early strike lifted the Rangers’ spirits and he continued to press the Motherwell defence throughout the second half. McInnes praised his work rate, saying he “presses brilliantly” and adds confidence to the squad. Dan Neil, who took the captain’s armband, also impressed with his organising on the pitch.
The manager felt the 1‑0 scoreline suggested a tighter contest than it actually was, noting Motherwell created chances but were nullified. He added that the team must improve chance creation to “put teams to bed” in future League fixtures.
Aftermath and outlook
The hamstring injury looks similar to the problem Shankland suffered at Hearts last January, which kept him out for three months, McInnes said. A scan is scheduled for Monday and the club expects the 31‑year‑old to miss MONTHS of action, ruling him out of Scotland’s Nations League double‑header later this month.
With Shankland unavailable, McInnes will likely rely on Ryan Naderi, Kevin Kelsy and the experienced Bojan Miovski, while Min‑su Kim offers another central option. “Be prepared for a period of adjustment,” the manager warned, emphasising the need for squad depth.
Despite the setback, Rangers secured their third straight League victory, keeping momentum in the Scottish Premiership. The club’s recruitment, highlighted by Kelsy’s arrival, earned praise from the manager.