SHANKS GOES GOALHEARTED
LAWRENCE SHANKLAND is praying that hitting the Premiership goal trail will be enough to get back into the Scotland squad for the crucial Euro 2020 play-off with Israel.
The Dundee United striker is now over the ankle injury that forced him to pull out of last month’s Nations League games with Israel and Czech C Republic.
Those matches saw new cap ca Lyndon Dykes take centre ce stage.
But after two goals in his last la two games, Shankland is hoping it pushes him back ba into Steve Clarke’s squad sq – which will be announced an today.
The United forward scored sc a wonder goal in the th win over St Mirren and then th in the draw against Hamilton H at the weekend.
Shankland said: “Every footballer fo who plays and wants w to play for their national team – they want to be involved at that level.
“It is a big stage on which to show what you can do.
“I am just glad to be going back out on to the pitch and I’m looking forward to getting games under my belt.
“If I can find good form in those games then I’ll be in with a shout and we’ll see what happens for Israel.”
The frontman admitted it was hard missing the last two games but the pain was eased by the draw with Israel and the win over Czech Republic.
He also knew he couldn’t do himself justice when he wasn’t 100 per cent.
Shankland also accepted that he had to get his ankle right for Dundee United, as it flared up after his Premiership bow for them in the season opener against St Johnstone.
He said: “It wasn’t good watching the last games.
“I missed a lot of football here at United and then missed out with Scotland.
“But it was good to see the lads here get a couple of good results and Scotland got a win in the Czech Republic as well as the draw with Israel.”