Rangers captain Lawrence Shankland has expressed confidence that he will be fit to return to action well before the end of the season, despite facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines following hamstring surgery.
The 31-year-old striker has missed Rangers' last three fixtures after suffering a torn hamstring, an injury serious enough to require an operation. While a precise return date remains difficult to pin down, Shankland is optimistic that his recovery is progressing smoothly and that he could be back in a matter of months.
Speaking about his rehabilitation, Shankland said he has recently consulted with a specialist and received encouraging updates on his progress. "I'm getting there, slowly," he said. "Things are looking good. I was back down to see the specialist to get a bit of feedback and things are going in the right direction."
The forward explained that hamstring injuries requiring surgery often demand patience, with recovery typically assessed around the three to four-month mark rather than against a fixed schedule. "The hamstring's healing well after the surgery. It's hard to put a timeline on it. You just need to see how it feels around that three-month, four-month mark. Hopefully, as quick as possible," he added.
Despite the uncertainty over an exact comeback date, Shankland was clear that he does not expect to be out of action for the remainder of the campaign. He pointed to January as a realistic target for his return, which would still leave a significant portion of the season for him to contribute to Rangers' ambitions. "I'll be back well before the end [of the season]," he said. "For this hopefully, I'll be back in January time or whenever I'm back and there'll be a lot of football still to be played."
Shankland's injury has been a blow for Rangers, given his importance to the squad both as a goal threat and as captain. His leadership on and off the pitch has been a key component of the team's setup this season, and his absence leaves a notable gap in the forward line. However, his upbeat assessment of his recovery will come as a relief to supporters and coaching staff alike, who will be hoping to have their talisman back available for the business end of the campaign.
The timeline suggested by Shankland would see him sidelined for a period spanning several months, missing a chunk of the season's fixtures but returning with ample time to make an impact before the crucial run-in. Rangers will need to navigate this period without their captain, relying on other attacking options to fill the void while he completes his rehabilitation.
For now, the focus for Shankland is on a steady and careful recovery process, following the guidance of specialists rather than rushing back prematurely. His comments suggest a player who is both realistic about the demands of recovering from surgery and confident that he will be able to contribute meaningfully once he returns to full fitness.
Rangers fans will now watch closely for further updates in the coming weeks as the captain continues his rehabilitation, with January emerging as the key period to watch for a potential comeback.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.