Rangers dealt 'massive' blow as true extent of Lawrence Shankland injury revealed
Rangers have been dealt a "massive" blow with Lawrence Shankland ruled out for up to four months after his recent injury.
His performances have been tipped as key to any success Derek McInnes' side enjoy this season after a slow start to their season which saw the boss heavily criticised.
However, former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that there are concerns about the impact on the team with Shankland set to spend months on the sidelines.
McInnes expalined that the striker has had scans on the injury and will likely need to undergo surgery to aid his recovery, further extending the timeframe for his return.
As a result, Rangers are now heavily lacking in their striker department, with Youssef Chermiti ruled out for the season after suffering a cruciate ligament tear in August.
How big of a blow will Lawrence Shankland's injury be?
Brown told Football Insider back in May that the signing of Shankland would be "huge" for Rangers as he was expected to play a crucial role in McInnes' ambitious plans.
The striker's recent goalscoring form had been cause for renewed optimism at Ibrox, despite building frustrations, and it will be a "massive" blow to lose him.
Given the impact Shankland's injury has had on Rangers' attacking prospects, there are concerns that results could take another downturn in his absence.
"Lawrence Shankland was finally getting into a run of form at Rangers," Brown told Football Insider.
"Their results at the start of the season weren't good enough, but it looked like things were finally starting to pick up, and the striker had started finding the net more often.
"So to lose him to a serious injury will be a massive blow to Rangers, they would have been gutted when he was forced off due to his hamstring.
"Now they're going to be without their first-choice striker, they've already lost Chermiti who is also injured, and that's a big part of whatever success they might have.
"It's a blow for the manager as well, because losing his two main goalscorers will inevitably impact the results, and then that brings pressure back onto him.
"So it's a nightmare situation, really, for Rangers and they'll now have to find a way to cope without him in the side."
How will Shankland's absence impact Rangers' plans?
Shankland's injury blow will not just have an impact on Rangers' plans on the pitch but off it as well, with his absence set to change the situation for their fringe players.
Bojan Miovski has been heavily linked with a move away from Ibrox after being forced down the pecking order, but he could finally be set to get his chance.
Football Insider revealed on 8 September that Miovski will be given a chance to prove himself in Shankland's absence, with McInnes turning to his other options.
The striker made an impact off the bench as he scored the winning goal for Rangers in the 91st minute against St Mirren on 9 September.
That will do Miovski's chances of earning a more regular place in the team no end of good, and any suggestions he could soon move in will be put on the back burner for now.