How Derek McInnes could already have his next captain in mind at Rangers

Derek McInnes could soon find an alternative to Lawrence Shankland as Rangers captain.

The Scotland international came in on a free transfer in the summer and was immediately handed the armband.

That wasn't necessarily a surprise as the striker had been the skipper at Hearts under the Scot's management.

There was a mixed opinion surrounding the decision to replace James Tavernier with a summer signing.

McInnes wasn't moved by the reaction as he stuck by his man in the early weeks of the campaign.

Shankland isn't the long-term leader of Rangers, but it already seems that a future option is in the pipeline.

Who could become Rangers captain?

Should an alternative be needed to the striker, there are several options already available in G51.

That is what gave the manager such a difficult decision to make over the summer.

Dan Neil had been given the armband in several pre-season outings and looked to be a prime candidate.

The summer signing didn't get the nod, with Rangers Review reporting that Dujon Sterling, Tuur Rommens and Nico Raskin were also put forward as options.

They weren't selected and it could actually leave the door open for Emmanuel Fernandez to take up the role.

That comes after Chris Jack said: "It was not the right time to hand him [Fernandez] the armband or a vice-captain position, but his growth as a player and a person will continue in his second season at the club."

Suggesting that now isn't the "right time" then the opportunity may come further down the line.

Should that decision be in the pipeline for McInnes and Co. it is certainly going to be an interesting few months and potentially years.

What does Emmanuel Fernandez need to do to earn Rangers captaincy?

There is logic to the idea that the Nigeria international is probably too inexperienced to earn the armband.

That is why allowing him to maintain his role as a regular, for now, makes sense.

But that isn't to say he is on a clear route to captaincy.

The 2001-born ace needs to improve and prove that he can be consistent at a top level to be one of the best players at Ibrox.

Silly mistakes have been an issue of his Govan spell, something which need to be wiped out before he can be a role model in G51.

It is clear that Fernandez is highly rated at Rangers, but certainly has steps to take before he's ready to be captain.