Lawrence Shankland named new Rangers captain

Shankland replaces Tavernier

As the BBC reported, the 30-year-old Scotland striker takes the armband two days before the Ibrox side open their Scottish Premiership campaign.

A boyhood Rangers supporter, Shankland arrived during a busy summer transfer window after scoring 88 goals in 171 games for Hearts, where he also wore the captain's armband before departing in May.

He succeeds James Tavernier, who led Rangers to a Europa League final and won the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup and League Cup across 11 years in Govan.

What Shankland's captaincy means for Rangers

The appointment is an early statement from manager Derek McInnes, who hands the responsibility to one of his summer signings rather than a longer-serving figure.

As the club's first-choice striker, Shankland will be expected to lead from the front and add goals as well as authority, having proved a prolific finisher throughout his time at Hearts.

Handing him the armband so soon after his arrival signals the faith the new manager has in the Scotland international.

Rangers start their league campaign away at Dundee United on Friday 31 July, with kick-off at 20:00 BST at Tannadice Park.