Tangerines ace puts derby before Cyprus

SCOTLAND: Shankland joins up with national team on a high

Dundee United striker Lawrence Shankland insists Scotland never crossed his mind until after the full-time whistle blew at Dens.

Shankland had an extra spring in his step when he teamed up with the national squad ahead of the closing Euro 2020 qualifiers against

Cyprus and Kazakhstan. That was all thanks to playing a crucial role – scoring the second goal – in United’s 2-0 victory over Dundee on Friday.

The Tangerines’ derby delight was enhanced when Saturday’s Championship results rolled in to leave Robbie Neilson’s men six points clear of second-placed Ayr United.

Shankland, who also took on a modelling role for the Scots’ new strip, revealed he was so focused on the city clash that he didn’t let his mind wander to the trip to the Cypriot sunshine this weekend for what he hopes will be a third cap.

He said: “I have had a lot on my mind with United with such a big game against Dundee.

“That was my main priority so I never even allowed myself to think about these two Scotland games until that one was out of the way.

“We knew it would be tough going to Dens, especially having won by such a big margin the last time, even if that was maybe an unfair scoreline.

“But we deserved to win that night and it was the same on Friday.”

Making it into the second of national coach Steve Clarke’s squads means he will desert his club-mates this weekend when they take on Queen of the South at Tannadice in a league game.

However, the 24-year-old frontman, who has scored a remarkable 19 times for club and once for country already this season, insists his United colleagues will manage without him.

Shankland said: “For me it was good to leave on a high note because I miss the game against Queen of the South.

“There is going to be a wee gap for me with club football and it was important to get the result on Friday. It has opened up a wee gap for us in the table and results on Saturday went our way as well.

“There is a wee bit of breathing space and less pressure going into the game at the weekend.

“It was also great to get on the scoresheet on Friday in a big game that was televised – you want to score as a striker.

“Nicky Clark scored the penalty and that relaxed us a bit and gave us a licence to play.

“Of course, I was delighted to see my effort hit the net.”

Shankland is not someone to let rumours bother him and insists he is in the dark over a story linking him with a January move to English Championship side Nottingham Forest.

“I don’t take any interest in the speculation to be honest,” he said.

“I never actually knew about that report until someone told me about it.”

Lawrence Shankland.