Rangers: Will ‘proper captain’s performance’ be Shankland springboard?
As well as Shankland’s match-winning display, the other item of note from a Rangers perspective was the return to action of midfielder Nicolas Raskin.
The Belgian is one of the club’s most valuable assets, an established international who impressed at the World Cup. And yet, he missed Rangers’ past two matches amid speculation linking him with a move away from Glasgow.
His influence was sorely missed in the Czech Republic as Jablonec forced a penalty shootout which they ultimately won.
But he was back from the start against Falkirk – a surprise after Rangers knocked back a loan bid from Turkish outfit Besiktas earlier in the day.
Raskin was central to Shankland’s opener, winning the ball back in his own half before starting the attack by going wide left, and McInnes hopes he will remain a Rangers player beyond Thursday’s transfer deadline.
“I’m just glad I’m able to choose Nico tonight,” McInnes said. “We can do with his experience in there. I thought he got better in the second half. Obviously delighted if we manage to hold onto him and it looks like we will.”
On a busy day transfer-wise, Rangers also accepted a £1m loan offer from Anderlecht for Norway midfielder Thelo Aasgaard.
McInnes expressed his frustration at having to play games so close to the window closing.
“Obviously Nico’s had an opportunity to go today, and it wasn’t something he wanted or the club, I believe, entertained. It was hardly the ideal preparation,” he said.
“I’ve been keen to utilise Nico, but there’s been a lot going on for him. He’s been training with us every day, and I think at times the team needs more experience.
“Even coming through from Ibrox at lunchtime today, at the hotel, I had Thelo behind me and Nico three rows behind me and I didn’t know who was coming and who was going. It’s far from ideal.”
Rangers have already signed 12 players this summer in an extensive rebuild and one more is expected to come through the door in the form of Portland Timbers striker Kevin Kelsy.
“It seems to have been the longest window I can remember – so much going on,” McInnes said.
“For us now, it will do everybody good if we can get the window shut and work with what we’ve got. Players always settle a wee bit more.
“We’ve made some good signings, very young as you can see at times, but I’m confident we’ve got good talent here that can give us lots of encouragement between now and January and then see where we are.”
