YOU’RE NOT DON HIS MIND
Reynolds insists star Shankland has nothing to prove to old boss McInnes
MARK REYNOLDS insists Lawrence Shankland has nothing to prove when he goes up against Aberdeen for the first time since being released by them three years ago.
Ahead of the duo facing their old side, Dundee United skipper Reynolds says the striker was determined to be master of his own destiny and has gone on to show the world what he can do.
Shankland has admitted his big move in 2013 came too soon. In four years at the Reds – spent mostly out on loan – he made just 17 appearances and failed to net.
It took a move to Ayr and an astonishing 62-goal burst in two years to reignite Shankland’s career and win him the switch to Tannadice where he has struck 30 times in 38 games.
That form has made the 25-year-old a regular in the Scotland set-up – and had many Aberdeen fans wondering if gaffer Derek McInnes slipped up by letting him go.
But Reynolds said: “As much as Aberdeen let him go, Lawrence wanted to go. It’s not as if Aberdeen decided Shanks wasn’t a good enough player, it was just circumstances at the time. He had good players in front of him, Jonny Hayes, Niall McGinn and Adam Rooney, who were causing chaos and scoring every week so he was struggling to get into a good Aberdeen team.
“He was also a young guy, wanting to go and play and prove himself, which he’s done.
“Lawrence wants to prove himself every week regardless of who he’s playing against. He wants to score a goal every game and he goes into them full of belief he can get at least one.
“I don’t think he’ll be going into it with a vendetta or trying to score any more than he does.
“Look at guys at top teams just now and they all have different career paths. For Lawrence, he wants to be the one in charge of his own career and destiny.
“The only way you can do that is by playing games and if that means dropping down a level or two to play and improve to work yourself back up then you need to do that.
“It was always the right idea and Derek McInnes wasn’t the type of manager to s t and i n someb o dy ’ s way. Aberdeen fans will be thinking they should’ve kept a hold of him because he’s turned into an international-class striker. But that’s football.
“You see guys like that coming through and doing well. The question is always there, when the opportunity presents itself can they go and do it? Shanks has answered that at every level and for Scotland.”
Reynolds himself spent seven years at Pittodrie, lifting the League Cup in 2014. He’s set to reacquaint himself with a number of old pals today, not least Andy Considine whose Scotland call-up at 33 has Reynolds believing his own dream could still be alive.
Niall McGinn and Jonny Hayes will also be on Tayside and Reynolds said: “I’m waiting on them signing Rooney on loan and that’ll be the front three completed!
“Andy summed up after the game how most players in Scotland feel – you always have a chance. It’s good to have a manager who is willing to look at players on form.
“It’s a step up but Andy is more than capable. It gives me a bit of hope that maybe at 33 there’s still a chance.
“Every player for Scotland is a fan first and foremost so if you get that call-up you want to go and do the best you can. I’m just delighted to see Andy get those two caps and do so well.”