Shankland targets January Rangers return as hamstring recovery progresses

Rangers captain Lawrence Shankland is hoping to return to action around January after hamstring surgery, but says his recovery cannot yet be given a firm deadline. BBC Scotland reported on Wednesday that the 31-year-old striker had received encouraging feedback from a specialist and expects to play again well before the closing stages of the season.

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According to PA Media's report published by STV News, Shankland came off injured during Rangers' 1-0 victory over Motherwell at Ibrox on September 5. Manager Derek McInnes subsequently anticipated an absence of up to four months. The manager said surgery for the grade 2c tear would lower the chance of another injury, although rehabilitation would take longer.

Shankland said he had stopped using crutches this week, four weeks after the operation, PA reported. He explained that the surgeon had advised him an operation was needed and a further scan supported that decision. The forward had experienced a similar problem previously, but said this injury was worse and he was comfortable proceeding with the treatment.

BBC Scotland reported that the hamstring was healing positively, although Shankland cautioned that the three- to four-month stage would provide a better indication of his readiness. January remains his hope rather than an agreed comeback date. He wants to return as soon as possible and believes there will still be plenty of football left when he does.

The absence has interrupted his first season at Rangers following a summer move from Hearts. PA reported that he had scored four times in ten appearances for his new club. His rehabilitation will remain under physiotherapy supervision, and he stressed that he needs to feel comfortable before going back onto the pitch.

Rangers have continued winning while their captain recovers. BBC Scotland reported that their run had reached six successive victories across all competitions, easing the frustration of watching rather than playing. Shankland described the difficulty of working in the gym while team-mates train outside, but said the results had made his spell away from the side easier to accept.