SCOTS CALL WILL CAP COMEBACK
Shanks targets United goals and play-off
DUNDEE UNITED star Lawrence Shankland wants to slay St Mirren and go on a scoring surge that will secure his place in the Scotland squad for the play-off with Israel.
The striker is back to full fitness after a frustrating ankle injury had restricted him to one start for United and saw him pulled out of Steve Clarke’s squad for last month’s Nations League double header with Israel and Czech Republic.
Shankland has still to open his Premiership account but is confident he will make his mark in the top flight and ensure he gets back into the national team for the fight to make the Euro 2020 finals.
The prolific frontman said: “I would like to see this as an opportunity to kickstart my season.
“I’m just glad to be going back out on the pitch and I’m looking forward to getting games under my belt. If I can find good form in those matches then I’ll be in with a shout and we’ll see what happens for Israel.”
United have struggled for goals and Shankland knows he is expected to provide that finishing touch.
He said: “I hope I can provide a cutting edge for the team.
“I know the goals will come. I know I’m a good enough player and I’m playing in a good enough team, so it will happen. You can’t get impatient, you just have to wait for it and I’ll find my form eventually.
“We would all agree as a team we have to create more in the forward areas. If I can provide that edge and get goals then that would be great.
“It’s good to be back. I’m here to play football and to score goals.
“There is a pressure on me to score goals because that’s my job and if the boys are creating chances then it’s up to me to finish them.”