Rangers 'close' to next summer transfer deal as Derek McInnes makes major Ibrox decision
Light Blues are looking for reinforcements in problem position
The Derek McInnes era is officially beginning to take shape at Ibrox ahead of Rangers’ 2026/27 season, with Olwethu Makhanya ‘close’ to becoming their eighth signing of the summer and striker Lawrence Shankland becoming club captain.
The Light Blues travel to Dundee United on Friday night for the Premiership opener - a fixture the new manager was hoping to a few new faces in the door beforehand. Philadelphia Union defender Makhanya has been linked with a £3m Ibrox move. The 20-year old would become signing number eight of the summer rebuild.
Number one of which was former Hearts skipper Shankland, who worked under McInnes last season at Tynecastle in an over-achieving Jambos side. Reunited in Govan, the manager has now confirmed it will be the Scotsman who wears the armband this season, however particular emphasis has been put on their being leaders all over the pitch in the new look Rangers outfit.
Rangers ‘close’ in on MLS star with ‘big potential’
With John Souttar on the way out and Clinton Nsiala out of the first team picture, Rangers only have two recognised centre halves in Emmanuel Fernandez and Ben Godfrey. Speaking ahead of the Dundee United clash, McInnes claimed they’re ‘close’ to signing Makhanya and told fans what they can expect from the South Africa international. He said: “That’s one that is close (Makhanya deal).
“He fits a similar profile to a lot of the business we’ve tried to do – good age, a lot of athleticism and big potential. He’s coming from MLS into a different country and style of football, but we believe he has the attributes to cope with that. Looking at us defensively, we’re short in numbers, so it was important to act quickly to get one in. We probably still need another couple of defenders before the window closes, but getting this one resolved this week, hopefully with an announcement tonight or tomorrow, would be a big step and we’d be delighted.”
Shankland appointed club captain but ‘burden’ is shared
McInnes and Shankland were four minutes away from spearheading a miracle last season before being pipped by Celtic on the last day. Having seen the striker first hand in the dressing room during the campaign, McInnes has chosen him for the armband again. Former Sunderland skipper Dan Neil and ex Partizan Belgrade leader Vanja Dragojevic were also in contention.
While Shankland will be the one leading the team out on matchdays, the manager stressed that there will be leaders all over the pitch. He added: “The advantage Lawrence had is that I’ve already seen first-hand how well he runs a dressing room, with his experience captaining Hearts for a few years. We had a lot to consider, but plenty went in his favour – his experience, the fact we’re still quite a young dressing room, and that he knows the club as a Glasgow boy who has supported Rangers and understands what’s expected of him, of me and of the team this season.
“I felt Lawrence took a lot on his shoulders at Hearts when things weren’t going so well. This time last year we were there and he was the existing captain, and after seeing how he was in and around the team I saw no reason to change that. Here, the role is slightly different in that we need as many captains underneath him as possible. You’ve heard a lot of managers talk about that – sharing the burden. We need to share that load and that responsibility, both when things are going well and when they’re not.”