Lawrence Shankland views his appointment as Rangers captain as an achievement that surpasses his long-held dream of playing for the team he grew up supporting.

The 30-year-old forward moved to the club just two months earlier from Hearts, a team where he served as captain and netted 88 goals across 171 appearances.

The Scotland international takes over from the previous captain James Tavernier, who guided the Ibrox outfit to a Europa League final and secured the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup, and League Cup titles in his 11 seasons at the club.

This announcement arrives two days prior to Derek McInnes' team kicking off their league season against Dundee United on Friday at 20:00 BST.

"Playing for Rangers has always been a dream come true as a lifelong fan, but leading the club as captain represents an enormous privilege," Shankland remarked.

"From the moment I arrived, I have aimed to conduct myself as a captain would, serving as a leader among the players."

"I strive to lead by example during training sessions and ensure everything is done correctly around the facility."

"It is not only me - Dan Neil and Ben Godfrey bring valuable experience from other clubs where they have captained sides. Together, we focus on demonstrating the right standards."

James Tavernier, the former captain, frequently faced criticism from fans regarding the team's shortcomings, even though he was arguably one of the club's top performers in recent years.

While some of the backlash seemed unwarranted, Shankland recognizes that such pressure is part of wearing the armband at a club with high expectations.

Fans have long advocated for the addition of this striker due to his scoring prowess, and his familiarity with Scottish football along with his status as a dedicated supporter will further appeal to them.

With a manager in place and a captain on the field whom supporters believe understand the club's culture, Shankland expresses readiness to handle the criticism in pursuit of success as Ibrox captain.

"During challenging periods, attention often turns to the captain for explanations on behalf of the team," Shankland noted. "I must accept that responsibility."

"However, the benefits of achieving success and excelling as captain at this club greatly exceed any potential criticism."

Manager McInnes stated: "Lawrence benefits from my prior knowledge of his effective leadership in the Hearts dressing room.

"His experience is valuable in our relatively youthful squad. He understands the club, having supported it, and comprehends the expectations placed on himself, the team, and me."