Derek McInnes has moved to reassure supporters that Lawrence Shankland will come good at Rangers, insisting the Scotland striker is far too accomplished a finisher to remain short of goals for long. Shankland has managed only one strike in five appearances since completing his move to Ibrox, and he was named among the substitutes as Rangers secured their first victory of the season — a 5-1 League Cup success over St Mirren on Sunday. Yet the Rangers manager remains untroubled.

"When you have a player like Lawrence, who knows his way around the penalty box and how to score goals, I do not worry too much about it," McInnes said. "Sometimes people can over-emphasise these things. For me, it is a case of letting him play his natural game. The best strikers have that instinctive side to their game, where everything looks natural and seamless. I have no doubt he will do well here."

McInnes knows Shankland better than most. The 31-year-old finished last season with 22 goals for Hearts under this very manager, making him one of the most reliable forwards in Scottish football. That track record is precisely why McInnes can afford to be patient, even as questions begin to surface about the striker's integration at his new club.

The captaincy question also features in that conversation. Shankland arrived at Ibrox carrying the armband from his time at Tynecastle, yet on Sunday it was Nico Raskin who skippered the side. McInnes addressed the matter directly, making clear that the honour carries no automatic guarantee of a starting berth.

"I said that when I spoke to Lawrence," the manager confirmed. "Being captain does not guarantee anything, and he accepted that. He is not going to stamp his feet about it. Having worked with Lawrence before, he is a brilliant captain and a brilliant boy. You want your captain to have a big influence on and off the pitch, and I believe Lawrence will have that."

Ryan Naderi, who started ahead of Shankland against St Mirren, underlined his claim for a place by opening the scoring in that 5-1 triumph. Competition for the central striking role is clearly healthy at Ibrox, which may well serve the club's interests even if it increases external scrutiny of Shankland's situation.

Raskin focus amid transfer noise

Attention has not been focused solely on Shankland. Nico Raskin, the Belgian midfielder who has been prominently linked with a departure, has also occupied the headlines, though McInnes was at pains to praise his attitude. "Nico's been a dream since we came in, in terms of how he's set about his work, and he doesn't look like a boy who's distracted in any way," the manager said. "I'm enjoying working with him." The usual caveat about the market applied — "every player's got a price" — but McInnes conveyed no sense that a sale is imminent.

Jablonec lie in wait in Europe

Before the Premiership campaign resumes in earnest, Rangers face a significant test in European competition. Czech side Jablonec arrive in Glasgow on Thursday evening for the first leg of a Conference League play-off tie. Jablonec arrive on the back of six consecutive victories, a run that commands respect, though McInnes was keen to place the emphasis on his own side's performance. "It'll be tougher for them," he said, while acknowledging that the visitors are well-organised and capable of changing shape fluidly during matches. How Shankland fits into those European plans — whether from the start or from the bench — will be watched with considerable interest.

Frequently asked

How many goals has Lawrence Shankland scored for Rangers?
Shankland has scored once in five appearances for Rangers since joining from Hearts, where he netted 22 goals last season under the same manager, Derek McInnes.
Why was Shankland not captain against St Mirren?
McInnes chose Nico Raskin as captain for the League Cup win over St Mirren, having made clear to Shankland that holding the captaincy does not guarantee a starting place or the armband on any given matchday.
Who are Rangers playing in the Conference League play-off?
Rangers face Czech side Jablonec in a Conference League play-off tie, with the first leg taking place at Ibrox on Thursday. Jablonec arrive on a six-game winning run.