Lawrence Shankland's rise to Rangers captaincy is a remarkable story of perseverance and dedication. The forward was once on the verge of giving up on his football career, but a brush with the scrapheap ensured the penny dropped for him. By the summer of 2017, Shankland's four years at Aberdeen had come and gone without a single goal for the Dons. The promise he'd shown in his formative years at Queen's Park had been seen in flashes throughout a string of loan spells in the lower divisions, but Shankland seemed unwilling or unable to apply himself properly in order to cut it at his parent club.
What happened?
Shankland's moment of realization hit him hard when he was freed by the Dons at the start of the 2017-18 season. Remarkably, he did not have a club. Had it not been for Ian McCall bringing him to Ayr United, then in League One, that September, Shankland might well have fallen off the radar. Realising what could have slipped through his fingers, he showed a renewed focus and professionalism, prioritising his fitness and intent on maximising his potential.
Why it matters for Queen's Park
Shankland's journey is a reminder that talent alone is never enough. He took time to reflect on his journey to the Rangers armband, saying: 'Obviously, those experiences were huge turning points in my career.' He added: 'But when you're at a crossroads in your career, you're always looking for the next opportunity to try and show yourself and improve and do things better than you did before.'
What comes next?
Now reunited with his former manager Derek McInnes at Rangers, Shankland spent yesterday posing for photographs after being handed the captain's armband again. The honour of leading his boyhood heroes is even more thrilling for the circuitous journey his career has taken. Next fixture: vs Ayr Utd (at home, 2027-01-02) (5th in the table).
