McInnes Breaks Silence Hours After Motherwell Clash — Rangers Await HUGE Medical Update
Rangers may have walked away from Ibrox with another crucial three points on Saturday, but the victory came at a potentially enormous cost.
The Gers defeated Motherwell 1–0 in the Scottish Premiership to make it three consecutive league victories, but the result was overshadowed by a worrying early injury to captain Lawrence Shankland.
The Rangers striker lasted only a matter of minutes before being forced off with what appeared to be a hamstring problem, immediately raising concerns among supporters inside Ibrox.
And hours after the final whistle, Rangers boss Derek McInnes delivered an update that is unlikely to calm those fears.
McInnes admitted that the injury “looks quite significant” and revealed that Shankland himself feels it is similar to the hamstring problem he suffered during his time at Hearts earlier this year.
The Rangers captain is now scheduled to undergo a scan on Monday, with the club waiting anxiously to discover exactly how serious the injury is. (Sky Sports)
For Rangers, the timing could hardly be worse.
Shankland forced off after barely five minutes
Rangers had started the afternoon looking to build on their recent victories over Aberdeen and Falkirk, with Shankland leading the line once again.
But the Rangers captain’s afternoon was over almost immediately.
Shankland pulled up with the apparent hamstring problem and was visibly uncomfortable before eventually being replaced by Ryan Naderi.
The injury was particularly concerning because Shankland had only recently found a rich vein of form.
The striker had scored three goals across his previous two appearances, including a brace in Rangers’ 2–1 victory over Falkirk on Wednesday.
He had therefore become one of the most important attacking players in McInnes’ side at precisely the wrong time for Rangers to potentially lose him. (The Times)
And there was an immediate reminder of just how quickly football can change.
Naderi, brought on as Shankland’s replacement, would go on to score the decisive goal.
Naderi provides instant response
Rangers supporters had barely had time to process Shankland’s injury before his replacement gave them something to celebrate.
Naderi capitalised on a huge mistake from Motherwell goalkeeper Alex Paulsen.
The Motherwell goalkeeper attempted to deal with the ball outside his area but was put under pressure by the Rangers substitute.
Naderi won possession and rolled the ball into an empty net to give Rangers the lead.
It was the kind of instant impact every substitute dreams of.
However, while Naderi’s goal ultimately secured the three points, the attention after the match quickly returned to the man he had replaced.
Because if Shankland’s injury proves to be as serious as McInnes fears, Rangers could be facing a major problem.
McInnes delivers worrying Shankland update
Speaking after the match, McInnes did not attempt to hide his concern.
The Rangers manager revealed that Shankland described the feeling as similar to the hamstring injury he suffered at Hearts last January.
That previous problem kept the striker out for an extended period, making the comparison particularly alarming.
McInnes said the injury was in a similar area and confirmed that Rangers will have Shankland scanned on Monday.
He also acknowledged that it appeared to be significant.
The manager said:
“It looks quite significant to be honest.”
He added that Shankland had a similar feeling to the injury he suffered at Hearts, while stressing that Rangers did not want to speculate before the scan. (The Scottish Sun)
That final point is important.
There is currently no confirmed diagnosis or official length of absence.
Rangers supporters will therefore have to wait for the medical assessment before knowing whether Shankland is facing days, weeks or potentially a much longer spell on the sidelines.
Why Rangers will be particularly worried
The concern is not simply about losing a striker.
Shankland has become increasingly important to McInnes’ attacking plans.
His recent goals against Falkirk had provided Rangers with a much-needed boost after a difficult opening period to the campaign.
Now, just as the striker appeared to be finding his rhythm, the injury has put his immediate future in doubt.
The situation is even more concerning because Rangers are already dealing with another major attacking injury.
Youssef Chermiti is unavailable after suffering an ACL injury, meaning Rangers’ options in the forward areas are already under pressure.
That makes Shankland’s potential absence considerably more significant. (The Scottish Sun)
Could the change of surface have played a part?
McInnes also offered a possible explanation for why Shankland may have been vulnerable to the problem.
Rangers had played on the 4G surface at Falkirk only a few days earlier, where Shankland produced a brilliant performance and scored twice.
They then returned to a grass surface at Ibrox for the Motherwell match.
McInnes suggested that moving between different playing surfaces can sometimes make players more vulnerable to muscular problems.
However, the Rangers manager did not claim that the change of surface was definitely responsible.
That is something that will remain speculation until more is known about the injury. (The Irish News)
Rangers win — but leave supporters frustrated
Despite the injury setback, Rangers eventually secured all three points.
The 1–0 victory extended their winning run and moved them up the Scottish Premiership table.
But it was far from a comfortable afternoon.
Rangers had opportunities to put the match beyond Motherwell, including a second-half penalty that Minsu Kim failed to convert.
The penalty itself also became a talking point, with Motherwell’s official social-media account describing the decision as a “soft” penalty and suggesting there was “justice” after Kim missed from the spot. (The Scottish Sun)
Rangers nevertheless held on.
And while McInnes will undoubtedly be pleased with the three points, the manager will know that the Shankland situation could prove far more consequential than anything that happened with the penalty.
Celtic double-header now looming
This is where the injury becomes particularly painful for Rangers.
The Gers are not simply waiting for a routine league fixture.
They have a huge run of matches coming up, including a Premier Sports Cup meeting with Celtic on September 13.
Rangers are also due to face St Mirren before that Celtic clash. (SPFL)
The possibility of entering an Old Firm match without their captain and in-form striker will therefore be a major concern.
Shankland’s availability for the Celtic game cannot currently be confirmed.
At this stage, the only thing Rangers can do is wait for the medical assessment.
But with McInnes already describing the injury as potentially significant, supporters have every reason to be nervous.
Naderi suddenly becomes a huge player for Rangers
One interesting consequence of Shankland’s injury is that Ryan Naderi could suddenly find himself under a much brighter spotlight.
The forward could hardly have made a better introduction against Motherwell.
He entered the game because of Shankland’s injury and almost immediately scored the winner.
That gives McInnes something positive to work with.
Rangers also have Kevin Kelsy available as another attacking option, while other players may be asked to contribute more in the final third if Shankland is unavailable.
But replacing Shankland’s goals and leadership will not be straightforward.
The Rangers captain had just begun producing the kind of performances supporters expected when he arrived.
Now the club may have to cope without him.
Monday becomes a huge day for Rangers
For now, speculation will continue.
Some early assessments have discussed the possibility of different grades of hamstring injury and varying recovery periods, but Rangers have not confirmed which type of injury Shankland has suffered.
That is why Monday’s scan is so important.
The club will finally have a clearer picture of the damage and, crucially, how long Shankland could potentially be unavailable.
Until then, Rangers supporters should treat claims about an exact recovery period with caution.
What we do know is that the manager is worried.
What we do know is that Shankland believes the sensation is similar to a previous hamstring injury.
And what we do know is that the Rangers captain has been scheduled for a scan on Monday. (The Irish News)
A victory overshadowed by a potentially massive blow
Rangers got exactly what they needed from the result against Motherwell.
Three points.
Another league victory.
Another clean sheet.
Another step forward for McInnes’ team.
But the mood around Ibrox after the final whistle was inevitably mixed.
The result was positive.
The performance produced plenty of encouraging moments.
Naderi stepped up when his team needed him.
Yet the image of Shankland leaving the pitch early could ultimately become the defining moment of the afternoon.
Rangers have spent the past few matches building momentum.
They have now won three consecutive league matches, and Shankland had been at the centre of that improvement.
Losing him for any significant period would therefore represent a major setback.
And with Celtic waiting around the corner, Rangers supporters will be watching Monday’s medical update extremely closely.
The scan will tell the real story.
Until then, the message from McInnes is enough to send a warning through Ibrox:
Lawrence Shankland’s injury could be much more serious than first feared.
And Rangers may soon discover just how costly Saturday’s victory over Motherwell could become.