Sources: Rangers hopeful of Lawrence Shankland return amid new update

Rangers striker Lawrence Shankland will remain sidelined with a hamstring injury until 2027 but is progressing well in his recovery, sources have told Football Insider.

Shankland suffered a grade 2c hamstring tear in Rangers' Premiership win against Motherwell on 5 September.

He was forced off in the eighth minute of the clash, with initial reports confirming that he was set for 12 weeks on the sidelines.

The 31-year-old is a big miss for Derek McInnes' side, having scored three goals in his first five Premiership games for the club after joining from Hearts.

As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, the Gers are still expecting him to return to action in the new year despite good progress being made in his recovery.

McInnes will continue to utilise the likes of Ryan Naderi, Kevin Kelsy and Bojan Miovski in attack in his absence.

Lawrence Shankland set for January return as Rangers make new plans

Naderi, Kelsy and Miovski have all netted in Rangers' three games since Shankland suffered his injury.

Youssef Chermiti's ACL injury suffered in August is set to keep him out for the whole campaign, but Shankland remains on track to return to the Gers squad at the start of 2027.

Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "Losing Shankland to injury was a big blow as he joined Chermiti on the sidelines.

"We probably won't see Chermiti until next season, but I'm sure Rangers will be hoping they'll have Shankland back sooner rather than later, likely in the new year after his hamstring problem."

Rangers' new Aribim Pepple transfer plan revealed

Rangers were interested in signing Plymouth Argyle striker Pepple in the summer after he bagged 18 goals in 41 games last season.

They decided against pursuing his signature, but the Canadian forward admitted that he was flattered by their interest in a recent interview.

Despite links to the contrary following that reveal, sources have told Football Insider that Rangers are not planning a new move for Pepple in the January window.

McInnes is content with his current forward options, particularly with Shankland set to return in the new year.