Derek McInnes has claimed that Lawrence Shankland would have scored 30 goals last season had he not missed three months through injury, as the new Rangers boss prepares to reunite with the striker at Ibrox.
McInnes on Shankland's potential
McInnes, who signed Shankland for Aberdeen as a teenager and later managed him at Hearts, described the forward as an 'added bonus' for Rangers. Shankland joined the club earlier this month after a productive season at Tynecastle, where he scored 20 goals despite being sidelined for over two months.
“Lawrence being here is an added bonus - someone I know really well and on the back of the season he had,” McInnes told the media. “He missed three months. For me, if he hadn’t been injured for those three months he would have got his 30 goals and arguably been the player of the season.”
From disappointment to delight
McInnes admitted that Shankland’s move to Rangers was initially a blow when he was still Hearts manager, but now sees it as a welcome gift. “It was disappointing at the time, as the Hearts manager. But equally now it’s a nice little present to turn up to,” he said.
The 54-year-old took over at Rangers 22 days after Shankland’s transfer was confirmed, and believes the striker can thrive under the increased pressure at his boyhood club. Shankland scored 88 goals in 171 appearances for Hearts, becoming the first Hearts player since John Robertson in 1991-92 to net 20 goals in a season, achieving the feat in three of his four campaigns.
Leadership and support
McInnes highlighted Shankland’s leadership qualities, noting how he commanded respect from teammates during pre-season. “When he turned up for the pre-season work in Spain, he walked in and could see how he was with the players. The confidence, the maturity, how he trained, how he behaved, how he demanded. How the other players looked up to him was really quite telling for me,” McInnes said.
He stressed the importance of not placing too much pressure on any player, but backed Shankland to set and meet his own targets. “Lawrence is a proven goalscorer at Premiership level and he should be someone who will put targets on himself and meet them in a Rangers shirt,” he added.
World Cup delay
The duo will have to wait to reunite as Shankland is currently representing Scotland at the World Cup in the United States. McInnes, who was on holiday in the US when approached by Rangers three weeks ago, revealed a light-hearted exchange with the striker. “He sent me a wee message saying: ‘I’ll maybe see you in a couple of weeks….’ with a couple of wee eyes. And I never answered that.. but we’ve since spoken and I’m delighted,” McInnes said.
McInnes is confident that Shankland can help Rangers challenge Celtic for the Scottish Premiership title, having finished second with Hearts last season, just minutes away from winning the league.
