Celtic fans hoping to find out more about recently linked forward Lawrence Shankland during the international break may have been left a little disappointed.
The in-form Dundee United forward played the entirety of Scotland’s 6-0 drubbing of San Marino on Sunday, and netted his first international goal in what was his maiden start.
Three days earlier he had emerged as a half-time substitute in Russia as Steve Clarke’s men went down to an equally resounding 4-0 defeat. Shankland put himself about in both matches but the truth is that we’re still yet to see anything to convince us that he is right for a reported move to Celtic.
Late last month the Daily Record reported that the Hoops had sent scouts to watch Shankland play for Dundee United against Morton. They said that Tosh McKinlay took in the match at Tannadice where Shankland netted a hat-trick – his second of the season.
Shankland could convince Celtic fans next month
It’s difficult to judge just how good Shankland is when he’s playing in the Championship – a league that still contains two part-time teams. The former Ayr forward may have netted 16 goals already this season but it is the standard of opposition that puts a huge asterisk against that number.
It was hoped that we would get to see what he was all about for Scotland in Russia but the nature of that match meant that we didn’t get to see much of him in an attacking sense.
Scotland take on Cyprus and Kazakhstan in the final international fixtures of 2019 next month. Those two matches should give Shankland a chance to add to his international tally – if he’s chosen – while they will also offer up a sterner test that San Marino.
If he performs well in those two encounters and continues to bang them in for Dundee United then it could further persuade some Celtic fans that we should make a move for him in January.
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