Lawrence Shankland has told Brazil that Scotland are ready for their decisive World Cup group-stage test before the striker returns to Rangers for Derek McInnes’ first pre-season.
The 30-year-old is preparing for Scotland’s meeting with Brazil in Miami, a fixture that could shape their place in the knockout rounds and keep one of Rangers’ major summer storylines on the global stage. Shankland has already had to fight for minutes at the tournament, but his message before the Brazil game is one of belief rather than caution.
Rangers will watch the response closely
For Rangers, the timing matters. Shankland is due back in Glasgow after the World Cup to begin work under McInnes, having made the move from Hearts during a summer of change at Ibrox. A strong reaction on international duty would only sharpen the sense that Rangers are getting a forward who can handle pressure, scrutiny and expectation.
The striker admitted he was disappointed with elements of his tournament so far, but stressed Scotland are not approaching Brazil as spectators. That blend of honesty and defiance is exactly what Rangers supporters will want to see from a player expected to carry a major attacking burden next season, according to a fresh update from The Scottish Sun.
Shankland’s next Rangers chapter will wait for now, but his World Cup response could set the tone before he even reports back to McInnes.
