Rangers fans have spoken in emphatic fashion over the future captaincy at Ibrox and the result was not even remotely close. The latest Ibrox Noise poll asked one simple question. Who should become the next Rangers captain? The answer from the fanbase came back loud and clear with Lawrence Shankland captain dominating the entire vote by an overwhelming margin. Only 14% of Rangers fans.
The former Hearts striker stormed to 82% of the vote from more than 1300 supporters. Meanwhile Nico Raskin managed only 14% and every other option combined barely registered. Consequently the result paints a fascinating picture about what Rangers fans now want from leadership at Ibrox. According to recent reporting surrounding the striker his arrival already carries major expectation among supporters.
Shankland completely crushed the competition
An 82% share in any Rangers poll is extraordinary. Usually the support splits heavily on big decisions. We saw that with Philippe Clement. We saw that with Danny Rohl. We certainly saw it for years with James Tavernier. However this poll produced near total agreement among supporters.
That tells us fans already view Shankland as more than simply a striker. Indeed many supporters already believe he will thrive instantly at Ibrox because of his connection with the club.
Instead supporters clearly see him as the identity of the club itself. He supports Rangers. He understands the pressure. He knows the standards demanded at Ibrox. Furthermore fans trust his mentality immediately without needing months to prove himself. That emotional connection mirrors wider reactions discussed in national coverage surrounding the move itself.
Only 14% of Rangers fans vote Nico Raskin?
The really surprising aspect of the poll concerns Raskin. For months many expected the Belgian midfielder to inherit the armband from Tavernier. He has passion aggression and quality in abundance. Moreover Danny Rohl openly described him as his on field lieutenant earlier this season.
Yet Rangers fans rejected him heavily here. In fact previous debate around Raskin suggested many fans viewed him as the natural successor before this dramatic poll result emerged.
That does not mean supporters dislike Raskin. Far from it. Instead it suggests fans now view him primarily as the engine room star rather than the emotional heartbeat of the dressing room. Reports from mainstream outlets have also highlighted the growing discussion around leadership changes at Rangers this summer.
Tavernier fatigue may explain the landslide
Many Rangers supporters likely voted emotionally because they want a total change from the Tavernier era. The current captain often led through performances rather than voice or confrontation. Shankland represents the opposite image entirely. Only 14% of Rangers fans wanted Raskin.
Consequently supporters appear desperate for a more traditional captain figure.
The remarkable thing remains the timing. Shankland had not even officially completed the move when this poll exploded online. Nevertheless the support instantly handed him the captaincy in spirit.
That is why this result matters.
This was not simply a popularity contest. It was a declaration from the Rangers support that Lawrence Shankland captain already feels inevitable at Ibrox.