Bingham keen to strike up Shanks rapport in run-in

HE’S only just in the door but Dundee United new boy Rakish Bingham is hoping he can quickly strike up an understanding with lethal hitman Lawrence Shankland.

Former Hamilton forward Bingham made his United debut in last Friday night’s 0-0 draw at Alloa, playing up top alongside Scotland international Shankland.

It was a fruitless night for the Tangerines duo in front of goal but they showed flashes of a promising partnership.

With Shanks charged with getting the goals, Bingham looks like he could be a good foil for the 28-goal star after displaying clever hold-up play, a willingness to run in behind and some neat flick-ons.

And the 26-year-old Englishman is now targeting goals to add to the mix.

“Shanks is doing very well this season so it was good to play up top with him and link up,” he said.

“I felt at times in the game we showed good quality playing off each other and looking for each other when the ball came into us.

“That will keep growing that partnership and, hopefully, we can bring goals.

“We kept plotting but it just wasn’t coming to us in terms of a final ball or getting onto the end of a cross.

“Alloa defended their box well but if we get back to creating overloads and openings, trying to cause teams problems, I’m sure we’ll get plenty goals and we’ll win games.”

Bingham was also pleased to get his first run-out in tangerine even if it wasn’t the perfect result.

He added: “It was brilliant to get a start and a run-out in Dundee United colours.

“It wasn’t to be on Friday night, we kept plugging away and trying to find an opening but maybe that little bit of quality towards the final third was lacking a little bit.

“Credit to Alloa, they defended their box well.”

Used to playing on a plastic pitch with the Accies, Bingham believes it can give teams like Alloa a home advantage.

However, he doesn’t feel it has enough bearing to affect the result.

“When you’re training, for example when I was at Hamilton,