(Credit: Imago)

Evan Shaw

Sun 24 May 2026 20:30, UK

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Danny Rohl could be about to rethink his decision over who will replace James Tavernier as Rangers’ captain ahead of next season.

The German must find a new star to take on the leadership role within the group, with the current skipper set to depart upon the expiry of his contract after 11 years of service in a Light Blue shirt.

Tavernier’s departure is set to come as part of a major overhaul of the squad at Ibrox in the coming months, as Rohl and Co. look to recover from the disappointing end to their Scottish Premiership campaign.

Rangers’ transfer plans are set to see new additions sought out across the board once the summer window opens, and Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland already appears set to become their first new arrival.

Lawrence Shankland could immediately compete for Rangers captaincy

Football Insider revealed at the end of April that Rohl has two main options to become Rangers captain, as he is already weighing up his options to replace Tavernier in that role.

Emmanuel Fernandez and Nicolas Raskin are currently seen as the two main candidates to step into the role, but the uncertainty surrounding the latter’s future has left the defender as the “prime candidate.”

Both Fernandez and Raskin are deemed to have the right qualities for the role, and also have strong availability records that work in their favour.

However, with Shankland’s announcement now seemingly imminent according to Fabrizio Romano, that will surely throw a third option into the equation for Rohl and his staff.

Shankland has captained Hearts throughout the season and played a key role in driving their relentless campaign to the brink of unprecedented glory.

His leadership qualities will surely see him earmarked as a clear option to take on the Rangers captaincy during pre-season, despite the fact that he will be new to the club.

Rangers already have price in mind for Emmanuel Fernandez sale

Former Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness told Football Insider in April that Rangers would be tempted into selling Fernandez this summer, if another of £25million was put on the table.

The Scottish businessman urged the Ibrox outfit to do everything they can to keep hold of the centre-back, but also acknowledged that it would be very difficult to turn down that kind of money.

Wyness pointed out that Rangers’ entire rebuild could be funded by a big-money sale of Fernandez, and he feels that Rohl and Co. would reluctantly let him go if that level of money came in.

That could change the club’s captaincy situation once again if that scenario were to play out, which would surely put Shankland firmly in the mix.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.