Rangers’ Star Injury Blow Confirmed: What Should Be The Option For The Club?

Rangers’ Star Injury Blow Confirmed: What Should Be The Option For The Club? Rangers have suffered a serious setback after their 31-year-old captain Lawrence Shankland went off with a significant hamstring injury during Saturday’s 1-0 Scottish Premiership win over Motherwell at Ibrox. He lasted only eight minutes before limping off the field, and Ryan Naderi came on before scoring the only goal in the 12th minute. Rangers secured the points, yet the victory came at a high cost. BBC Sport Scotland , in a report by George O’Neill, says Derek McInnes believes the injury looks similar to the hamstring problem Shankland suffered at Hearts last January. That previous issue kept him out for a lengthy spell, although McInnes refused to predict a recovery period before the club complete a scan on Monday. Shankland had started the campaign well after joining Rangers from Hearts in May, scoring four goals in his first 10 appearances and taking the captaincy. Rangers should turn to Naderi My view is straightforward: Ryan Naderi should start while Shankland is absent. He came on inside the opening minutes against Motherwell and immediately changed the mood by scoring, which gives McInnes something far more useful than a theoretical solution. Naderi has already shown he can provide a central reference point, and his height gives Rangers an aerial option when they play more directly. GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – AUGUST 13: Lawrence Shankland of Rangers celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 third qualifying round second leg match between Rangers FC and Jagiellonia Bialystok at Ibrox Stadium on August 13, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) There is a reason this matters. McInnes often asks his striker to occupy centre-backs, contest balls into the front line and create room for runners around him. Naderi can perform that job without forcing Rangers into a completely different attacking shape. Rangers have other options, but Naderi makes the most sense Shifting a winger inside would create another problem because Rangers would lose width and a clear target in the box. Naderi, now 23, therefore looks like the cleanest replacement, especially after his immediate impact against Motherwell. The timing makes the decision even sharper. The window has closed, so Rangers cannot simply buy another striker. Shankland had scored twice against Falkirk three days earlier, following his penalty at Aberdeen, and his absence removes a player who had suddenly found strong form. Naderi’s goal gives McInnes a ready-made answer, rather than another experiment. That matters because Rangers need continuity, and Naderi already understands the role McInnes wants from him.