Rangers manager Derek McInnes has defended captain Lawrence Shankland, insisting the striker will have a "big influence" at Ibrox regardless of whether he starts games, after a slow start to his time at the club. Shankland, who joined from Hearts after scoring 22 goals last season under McInnes, has managed just one goal in five Rangers appearances and was left on the bench for Sunday's League Cup win over St Mirren.

McInnes started Ryan Naderi instead against St Mirren, with Nico Raskin wearing the captain's armband as Rangers won 5-1 for their first victory of the season. The 31-year-old Shankland, McInnes said, had accepted that being captain "does not guarantee anything" and was not the type to complain. McInnes also praised Raskin's professionalism amid transfer speculation, and previewed Thursday's Conference League play-off first leg at home to in-form Czech side Jablonec, who arrive on a six-game winning run.