Shankland takes McCoist advice

IF it was good enough for one of Scotland’s greatest goalscorers, it was good enough for Lawrence Shankland.

The recently down-on-his-luck Dundee United striker drew upon the words of Rangers’ all-time top finisher Ally McCoist for solace and self-belief as he fluffed two, and then took one crucial chance against Ross County.

Just how big a goal it will prove to be for United remains to be seen. In the here and now, though, it seemed massive.

With a trademark deft touch and crisp finish, Shankland’s 63rd-minute goal turned the match in Dingwall and helped the Tangerines break a run of eight games without victory since before Christmas.

After three defeats with nine goals leaked, it could also change the course of their season. It lifted them eight points above Ross County, the team now embedded in the relegation play-off position.

It was only Shankland’s fifth this season and, in the first half, he had given the impression of grappling with demons given his volatile body language. A half-time heart to heart with manager Mickey Mellon seemed to do the trick.

“The first chance I got gifted with the boy missing the ball. My team-mates and I would have been expecting me to take that chance,” Shankland admitted. “For the next one, I was on the stretch, but I could still have nicked it by him or chipped it over him. Thankfully, we defended well and got in at half time 0-0 and we managed to get there in the end.

“Ally McCoist used to say if you score one in three it is a good record, so I will take that.”

Like Shankland at half time, United have looked like a team in need of a reminder of what they are good at. The striker feels the 2-0 victory, sealed by a Ryan Edwards header from a corner with 14 minutes left, may provide that.

“We just need to kick on and keep believing,” he said. “This result will give us a bit of confidence and, hopefully, we can take it into our next game and fire on again.”