Shankland: We know what we need to do to seal title

goals, then I’ll give myself the best chance.”

Tangerines talisman Shankland has stolen a lot of the headlines this season for his goal-scoring form, speculation surrounding his future and his emergence on to the international scene.

However, he knows he wouldn’t have been able to excel like he has without the help of United boss Robbie Neilson and his coaching staff.

And Shankland ranks the Tannadice gaffer up there with the best.

Asked if Robbie was the best manager he’d worked with, Shankland said: “I couldn’t pick out one, to be honest.

“Every manager is different and they’ve all got different qualities so it’s hard to say.

“Robbie has been particularly good to work with, that’s reflected in the performances you’re seeing from the boys.

“We’ve had a lot of good results in the last two months and he just gives you your job to go and do.

“It’s always clear what your instructions are for a game.

“The main thing for a player is knowing that because, even if it goes wrong, you know the game plan and how to eradicate any problems that arise.

“It’s clear what we’re doing every week and I think that helps going out to do it on the pitch.

“Sometimes when we’re in the form we’re in we can go out and play but sometimes we need a bit more information.

“That does help because sometimes as a player you miss things managers see in terms of opposition qualities and places you can get at them.

“Himself, Jig (Lee McCulloch) and Gordy (Gordon Forrest) give us a lot of information going into games and it does help.”

Lawrence Shankland enjoys the third goal of his Partick treble.