Lawrence Shankland’s ascent to the captaincy of Rangers Football Club marks a significant chapter in a career that was once on the brink of stalling. His journey from being released by Aberdeen without a goal to leading his boyhood heroes is a testament to resilience, self-awareness, and a renewed commitment to professionalism. The striker’s path to the Ibrox armband has been far from straightforward, involving a period of uncertainty and a crucial realization that raw talent alone is insufficient for sustained success at the highest level.

The Crossroads at Aberdeen

By the summer of 2017, Lawrence Shankland’s four-year tenure at Aberdeen had yielded no senior goals. Despite flashes of promise during loan spells in Scotland’s lower leagues after emerging from Queen’s Park’s youth system, Shankland struggled to translate that potential into consistent performance for the Dons. He faced a stark reality: either apply himself more rigorously or risk his career stagnating. This period proved to be a pivotal turning point, forcing him to confront the need for greater dedication and a more professional approach.

Upon his release by Aberdeen at the start of the 2017-18 season, Shankland found himself without a club. This precarious situation served as a powerful catalyst. A timely intervention by Ian McCall, who brought him to Ayr United in Scottish League One that September, offered a lifeline. This near-miss from falling off the professional radar instilled a profound sense of urgency and a determination to seize the opportunity.

Rebuilding and Rediscovery

With the gravity of his situation sinking in, Shankland recommitted himself to his craft. He prioritized his fitness and focused on maximizing his potential, a shift in mindset that quickly translated into on-field success. His prolific scoring record at Ayr United soon caught the attention of other clubs, leading to moves to Dundee United and then Hearts. A less conventional spell at Beerschot in Belgium also contributed to his development, broadening his experience.

During his time at Tynecastle, Shankland demonstrated a maturity and leadership that belied his earlier struggles. He captained Hearts and was instrumental in their title challenge the previous season, bringing the team agonizingly close to glory. This experience in a high-pressure environment undoubtedly prepared him for the responsibilities that awaited him at Rangers.

Embracing the Rangers Captaincy

The return to a familiar face in manager Derek McInnes, who had previously managed him at Aberdeen, brought Shankland to Rangers. The opportunity to captain the club he supported as a boy is an emotional culmination of his challenging career path. Reflecting on his journey, Shankland emphasized the invaluable lessons learned during his career crossroads.

“Obviously, those experiences were huge turning points in my career,” Shankland stated. “But when you’re at a crossroads in your career, you’re always looking for the next opportunity to try and show yourself and improve and do things better than you did before. I think that’s probably been a valuable lesson I picked up pretty young. It probably was a lesson for me to do things properly every single day. Week in, week out — do as much as you can.”

He added, “Nobody can be 100 per cent every day. But you do as much as you can. And every time you show up to work, you turn up with the right attitude. When I got the opportunity when I was younger to go back to learn and play football again, I was just so grateful. That grounding obviously does help. You work hard and you get moments like this. You get to lead a club like Rangers. It’s obviously huge.”

A Message of Inspiration

Shankland hopes his story can serve as an inspiration to other players facing similar career difficulties. “Especially at this time of the season, players can find themselves out of the game. It does become a difficult time for people. But if it can be a lesson for any player out there, any boy who’s in a sticky position right now, hopefully my journey can help,” he remarked.

The responsibility of captaining Rangers is not taken lightly. Shankland acknowledges the weight of history and the legendary figures who have worn the armband before him. He intends to draw on the experience of former captains and club icons, mentioning Barry Ferguson and Lee McCulloch as potential sources of advice.

“It is maybe something that I could do,” Shankland said regarding seeking advice. “You want to buy into the experience of people who have done it and if I get that opportunity to speak to people I will. Barry Ferguson and Lee McCulloch are still around the club so if I bump into them, they will be giving me advice along the way. He (Ferguson) was always my Rangers hero growing up. Maybe that’s because he was getting the opportunity to lift the trophies at the end of the season when they won them. That feeling is one you want as a captain.”

Leading by Example

Having captained clubs for the past two and a half years, Shankland is accustomed to the pressures and expectations that come with the role. He understands that the captain often becomes the public face of the team, particularly during challenging periods. However, he views the rewards of successfully leading a club like Rangers as far outweighing any potential burdens.

“For the last two and a half years, all I’ve known is being captain of a club,” he added. “It’s something I’ve enjoyed. I took the responsibility. Of course, there’s scrutiny when things get difficult and people look to the captain to answer up for the squad. That’s something I’ll need to be responsible for, but the flip side of the rewards of being a successful captain at this club outweigh it by miles. So, it’s something I’m really looking forward to.”

Shankland also highlighted the importance of collective leadership within the squad. “We’ll need a lot of leaders in the camp. Dan (Neil) has been a captain at Sunderland and I’ve had experience of working with Cammy (Devlin) who is a true leader in everything he does. So, it won’t just be myself, there will be a core group that leads the changing room. I’ll be at the forefront of it and I’m pleased with what I’ve seen so far.”

Ambitions for the Season

Just months after narrowly missing out on the title with Hearts, Shankland is focused on achieving success with Rangers. The disappointment of the previous season fuels his determination to help the club secure the league title this year.

“It would obviously be huge (to win the title) and it’s something we’re going to set out to do,” Shankland stated. “Coming into the season, that’s the expectation. You come to football club like this, you want to go and win the league. There’s no shying away from that. It’s a responsibility that we accept as players. And obviously myself as a captain now, I’ll need to bleed that into the changing room. We missed out last season. But I’m looking forward and hopefully can go one closer this year.”

Shankland’s journey underscores the critical importance of dedication, continuous learning, and a professional attitude in forging a successful football career. His appointment as Rangers captain is not just a personal triumph but also a powerful narrative of redemption and the rewards of perseverance.