Lawrence Shankland Embraces New Challenge at Rangers, No Pressure to Prove Himself
Lawrence Shankland does not feel “too much pressure” to establish himself at Rangers as he has “always wanted to prove myself”.
Shankland joined Rangers from Hearts in May before representing Scotland at the World Cup.
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The 30-year-old is third on the Scottish Premiership’s all-time scorers list with 80 across his spells at Aberdeen, Dundee United, and Hearts—12 short of former Celtic and Dundee forward Leigh Griffiths and James Tavernier, who has just left Rangers.
“I don’t actually feel too much pressure,” Shankland told assembled media in Spain, where Rangers are having a pre-season training camp.
“Obviously, when you go everywhere and you get a fresh start, you need to get yourself, try and make yourself the first name on the team sheet and that’s what I’m going to try and do here as well. Nothing changes with that approach.
“I’ve always wanted to prove myself.
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“I want to make the most of every opportunity I get. I’m buzzing to be here, buzzing to get started and really looking forward to it.”
‘The manager knows what to expect from me’
Shankland was regularly linked with Rangers throughout his career and revealed the closest he came to moving to Ibrox previously was while he was at Ayr United from 2017-19.
Now, he is competing with Youssef Chermiti, Bojan Miovski, and Ryan Naderi in Derek McInnes’ new look Rangers team, with manager McInnes having followed Shankland to Ibrox this summer.
McInnes was also previously Shankland’s manager at Aberdeen.
Chermiti, Miovski, and Naderi scored 31 goals between them last season. Shankland netted 20 at Hearts.
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“We’ve got four really good striking options—all goal scorers throughout their career,” Shankland said.
“The manager knows me as a player, first and foremost. He’s known me for a long time. He knows what I thrive on as a player.
“My role probably last year was a bit different from what he had maybe seen when I was younger.
“The good thing is he knows what to expect from me. We’re on the same page.”
