Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Seeing Shankland perfect pre-season
THE sight of Lawrence Shankland still wearing tangerine will give Dundee United the perfect Premiership boost.
That is the view of the Scotland striker’s Tannadice team-mate Liam Smith, who is relishing the prospect of walking out alongside Shankland when newly-promoted United kick off the 2020-21 season at home to St Johnstone.
Everything has been geared towards that August 1 curtainraiser against the Perth men and Micky Mellon’s team continued their pre-season build-up against Rangers at Murray Park today.
Smith, who has featured in the club’s previous friendlies against Motherwell and Livingston, is confident the Championship champions will be ready for Saints when they visit.
Having their prize asset still on the payroll, of course, will help.
Smith, who was also a colleague of Shankland’s at Ayr United, said: “It is a huge boost for us that we are starting the season with Lawrence still here.
“I am sure the rumours about him sill rumble on but we will be kicking off the season with him leading our line.
“That is a massive positive for us players and I would imagine the fans, too. It actually gives everybody at the club confidence.
“Indeed, keeping the bulk of the squad together will help us compete in the Premiership.
“It gives us continuity and bodes well for what lies ahead.
“You look at other teams that have done well over the years in the top flight and they have kept a tight group together.
“They don’t chop and change every season. The bulk of our squad is there,” added Smith.
“I am sure the manager will assess what is there and look at areas where he feels we need to add one or two. In due course that will happen but I don’t think it’s an issue at the moment.”
Smith has, like every other United player, had to deal with the strangest of summers thanks to Covid-19.
There has been the lack of a title party on the pitch, lockdown, the legal bid by Hearts and Partick Thistle that has threatened that hard-earned promotion and, last but not least, the arrival of a new manager.
Smith said: “Yeah, I think ‘unusual’ is a good word to describe it.
“You have been unable to go about your daily life, never mind play football.
“I am sure it has been a struggle for everyone and I’m no different but there is light at the end of the tunnel now.
“We are delighted to be back preparing for the season and we have all managed to stay fit over the summer despite the restrictions.
“Now we are back together as a group and it’s great.
“It has been nice to just be among the other players because this has been a tough time not only physically but mentally as well.