Rangers hand captaincy to new striker Shankland as Antman exits

Rangers have installed new signing Lawrence Shankland as captain straight after his summer move from title rivals Heart of Midlothian, while Finnish forward Oliver Antman is confirmed to be leaving the Glasgow club. The contrast highlights a bold reshuffle of leadership and squad composition.

FC-manager Derek McInnes made the striking decision to hand the armband to the incoming striker, signalling confidence in his ability to lead the side.

De Aanwinst Lawrence Shankland arrived from Heart of Midlothian, where he had captained the team and finished as the league’s top scorer, before being thrust into the captaincy role at Rangers.

"I can’t wait to wear the band. I have been a fan of this club all my life, and being captain for the first time is a great moment," Shankland said, adding that the season starts on Friday and his focus is on the task ahead.

Rangers close on Makhanya: excellent value for Ibrox giants

Rangers finished the previous campaign in third place in the Scottish Premiership, trailing behind Hearts, yet the club succeeded in persuading the Hearts top‑scorer to make the switch.

McInnes also confirmed that Oliver Antman will leave the club, with the Finnish attacker strongly linked to a move to Anderlecht.

Shankland’s captaincy energises Rangers as Makhanya deal looms

Antman arrived a year earlier from Go Ahead Eagles, but in sixteen Scottish Premiership matches he failed to make a lasting impression at Ibrox.

The juxtaposition of Shankland’s immediate elevation to captaincy and Antman’s departure underscores Rangers’ intent to reinforce leadership while trimming players who have not met expectations.