With the start of the new Premiership season just three days away, Derek McInnes has confirmed that he knows who his new Rangers captain will be - he just hasn't told anyone yet.
The Light Blues have experimented with different skippers during their pre-season schedule, with summer signings Lawrence Shankland, Ross McCrorie, Ben Godfrey and Dan Neil all getting to wear the armband, while versatile midfielder Dujon Sterling led the team out in Sunday's clash with West Ham at Ibrox.
Having brought in six new faces since his arrival from Hearts - from where he quickly followed Scotland striker Shankland - McInnes insists he has a dressing room packed with leaders, who all have the necessary requirements to be Rangers captain.
But fans are desperate to know just who will take the role over on permanent basis from departed long-time servant James Tavernier, and Record Sport's top team have given their thoughts on who should be handed the responsibility when Gers go to Tannadice to face Dundee United on Friday night.
Writer Opinions
Scott McDermott said: "Lawrence Shankland is a player Derek McInnes knows he can trust from their time together at Hearts. The striker has proved that - just like ex-skipper James Tavernier - he's robust and available most weeks, which is crucial. He's a boyhood Gers fan, who knows the demands and expectations of the club. He thrived on the captaincy at Tynecastle and can do the same at Ibrox - both with his leadership qualities and goalscoring exploits."
Ryan McDonald said: "I think Dan Neil is a stick on. Lawrence Shankland might seem the obvious choice having led Hearts but the striker has enough pressure on his shoulders scoring 20-plus goals. Experienced Neil was a respected leader at Sunderland after leading the club back to the Premier League and McInnes could hand him the armband."
Fraser Wilson said: "I'm generally not a fan of strikers being captains but Shankland is an exception. He has the stature, leads by example, demands the best from those around him but also is first to stick up for his team mates when the going gets rough. Shankland has shown at Hearts that he has broad shoulders and fits the bill for the Rangers armband too."
Craig Swan said: "Rangers had a right-back as their last captain and can have another as his replacement. Ross McCrorie has matured through his development away from Ibrox and has all the right credentials to lead the way."
Scott Burns said: "Lawrence Shankland. The striker was Derek McInnes' captain at Hearts. He knows what the manager demands and will be able to lead that on and off the pitch. It is an easy fix. Shankland, as a Rangers fan, also knows about those expectations as well. The likes of Ross McCrorie is in a similar boat and would be a good choice as vice captain."
