Key Points
- Rangers captain Lawrence Shankland provided an encouraging update on his hamstring recovery, confirming he is heading in the “right direction” four weeks post-surgery.
- The 31-year-old Scotland striker sustained a grade 2c tear and was forced off early during a 1-0 victory over Motherwell at Ibrox on September 5.
- Manager Derek McInnes initially estimated an absence of up to four months, noting that the surgical route would minimise recurrence risks despite lengthening rehabilitation.
- Shankland, who has scored four goals in 10 appearances since joining from Hearts in the summer, revealed he recently transitioned off crutches and received positive specialist feedback.
- Concurrently, Rangers enjoyed a stellar September under Derek McInnes, winning all four league fixtures—against Falkirk, Motherwell, St Mirren, and Celtic—conceding only one goal.
- This stellar league form, alongside a 3-0 League Cup win over Celtic, earned Derek McInnes the Manager of the Month award and Olwethu Makhanya the Player of the Month award.
- Makhanya, a £3 million summer signing from MLS side Philadelphia Union, has delivered stellar defensive consistency, particularly during the 1-0 William Hill Premiership win at Parkhead.
- Shankland admitted to watching the Parkhead derby from his kitchen while on crutches, accidentally standing on one leg for the entirety of the first half.
Rangers (Glasgow Express) October 8, 2026 — Rangers captain Lawrence Shankland has stated that his recovery is heading in the “right direction” following hamstring surgery, offering a welcome positive for the Glasgow club alongside their recent accolades. The 31-year-old Scotland international suffered a grade 2c tear, forcing him off early in a 1-0 victory against Motherwell at Ibrox on September 5. Manager Derek McInnes previously projected a recovery window of up to four months, explaining that choosing surgery would significantly reduce the likelihood of a recurrence, even though it extended the initial rehabilitation period.
Providing an update while promoting the Rangers Youth Development Company’s Rangers Lotto product at the club’s training ground, Shankland outlined his progress. He stated:
“I’m getting there slowly, I got off the crutches this week. It’s been four weeks from my surgery, so things look good.”
He added that a follow-up visit with the specialist confirmed he is healing well: “I was back down to see the specialist to get feedback and things are going in the right direction, so everything’s good. I’m healing well after the surgery. It was just a kind of check-up to make sure everything was where it was meant to be.”
Reflecting on the necessity of the procedure, Shankland admitted he had little choice in the matter. He noted:
“To be honest, I never really had much of a decision. When I went to see the surgeon, he told me straight away that it was going to need surgery to fix it, and a follow-up scan confirmed that. It was made a bit easier, to be honest, that I just needed it fixed and he had to do it anyway. I was comfortable with it, obviously I had the experience of a similar injury last year, this time it was just a bit worse. But I was comfortable with everything that needed to happen and I’ll get back as soon as I can.”
How long will Lawrence Shankland be sidelined for Rangers?
While rehabilitation is progressing favourably, establishing an exact timeline remains difficult. Shankland explained that his return depends heavily on physical feedback and professional supervision as he approaches the three to four-month milestone. He remarked:
“It’s hard to put a timeline on it. You kind of just need to see how it feels around that three-month, four-month mark. Everything will be under the physio’s supervision and how it feels for myself. I need to be comfortable going back, to be on the pitch. Hopefully as quick as possible, but as I said, you can’t put an accurate timeline on it.”
Before his spell on the sidelines, Shankland had notched four goals in 10 appearances for the Light Blues following his summer move from Hearts. Watching from afar has proved emotionally taxing for the boyhood Rangers supporter, particularly during the international break when the team secured a crucial 1-0 William Hill Premiership victory against Celtic at Parkhead, hot on the heels of a 3-0 Premier Sports Cup triumph at Ibrox.
Recalling his experience watching the Parkhead fixture from his kitchen, Shankland shared:
“I actually was on the crutches and I didn’t realise I’d stood up for the full first half until the half-time whistle went. I’d been standing on one leg for 45. It’s difficult to watch them and you want to be there with the boys. I don’t know if it felt (to them) like I supported them through the TV, but that’s how it felt for me.”
How successful was Rangers’ September campaign in the Scottish Premiership?
While Shankland continues his rehabilitation away from the pitch, Rangers have experienced a remarkable turnaround on the field under manager Derek McInnes. Following a sluggish start to the campaign—which included a setback against Jablonec in the UEFA Conference League play-off round—September proved to be an exceptionally productive month for the Gers.
The team secured maximum points from all four of their Scottish Premiership fixtures, defeating Falkirk, Motherwell, St Mirren, and Celtic while shipping just a single goal across those matches. This defensive resilience, coupled with the commanding 3-0 League Cup Old Firm victory, has firmly united the fanbase behind McInnes’s tactical vision.
The club’s stellar form did not go unnoticed by league officials, resulting in a clean sweep of September accolades. Derek McInnes was named Manager of the Month, while central defender Olwethu Makhanya claimed the Player of the Month award. Makhanya, acquired for three million pounds from Major League Soccer side Philadelphia Union during the summer transfer window, has proven to be an astute acquisition, anchoring the defence with consistent performances that culminated in the clean sheet at Parkhead.
Background
The recent developments at Rangers highlight a period of significant transition and resilience for the club. Following a challenging start under newly appointed manager Derek McInnes—including European disappointment in the UEFA Conference League play-offs—the squad has managed to stabilise domestically. The strategic decision to invest in squad depth during the summer window, bringing in experienced campaigners like Lawrence Shankland from Hearts and promising international talent like Olwethu Makhanya from Philadelphia Union, laid the groundwork for this upturn in form.
Shankland’s injury setback serves as a reminder of the physical demands placed on modern forwards, prompting medical staff to opt for surgical intervention over conservative management to ensure long-term stability. Concurrently, Rangers’ domestic resurgence has injected fresh momentum into their title ambitions, narrowing the gap at the top of the William Hill Premiership and restoring confidence among the supporters.
Prediction
This sustained upturn in form and individual recognition could significantly alter the competitive landscape of the Scottish Premiership title race for Rangers fans, players, and the wider club hierarchy. With Derek McInnes securing managerial honours and Olwethu Makhanya anchoring a formidable backline, the team has demonstrated an ability to grind out results in high-pressure fixtures, such as the back-to-back victories over Celtic.
For the supporters, this momentum fosters renewed belief that the squad can mount a sustained challenge at the summit of the table. However, the prolonged absence of key attacking figures like Lawrence Shankland will test the squad’s depth in the coming months. How effectively Rangers manage their rotation and maintain defensive discipline during the autumn fixtures will ultimately dictate whether September’s success translates into a serious championship challenge.
