Striker backed for English top flight

EXCLUSIVE: Mcavennie would love to see Shankland make West Ham move

Dundee United’s Lawrence Shankland is destined for the English Premier League, according to ex-celtic and Scotland striker Frank Mcavennie.

The former West Ham frontman believes United’s star man could have made a difference at his old club, who are languishing in the relegation zone in the top flight down south.

Sebastien Haller, who cost the Hammers a club record fee of £45 million, has scored just six times in 27 appearances this season.

Scotland international Shankland, 24, has 28 goals in 30 games for club and country.

“He’s got to go to England and I’d love him at West Ham,” Mcavennie told Courier Sport.

“I can’t believe a top Championship club or a Premier League club near the bottom of the table didn’t come in for him in the transfer window.

“If someone called me up and asked me about Lawrence Shankland, I’d tell them to take a chance on him.

“The strikers at West Ham are big lads but they don’t have the mobility of Shankland.

“His movement in the box is brilliant.

“He’s a proper striker, you can’t teach what he’s got.

“He reacts to everything. I’d love to say you can teach people what he’s got but you can’t.

“If I had a magic wand I’d be down at West Ham right now teaching the strikers.

“There are a lot of manufactured players around at the moment but Shankland isn’t one of them.

“He’s had setbacks and the penny dropped for him. He’s had to really apply himself and he’s getting the rewards now.”

“I think I can bring pace, trickery, assists, goals,” he said.

“If I play at Aberdeen, this will be the biggest crowd of my career so far.

“Hopefully I can show the fans what I can do. They might not know much about me just now but that could change with a couple of games.”

He added: “The move came as a complete surprise to me on deadline day.

“I was training and people were saying good luck to me. But I didn’t know anything about it. But then the manager (Jonathan Woodgate) told me St Johnstone wanted me.

“He said it would be a good challenge and good for my career.

“He wanted me to come here on loan and show what I can do. I’m really excited about it. I’m ready for the next step.”

Joe Aribo of Rangers was consulted by Jones before he gave the final “yes” to his Mcdiarmid Park loan.

“I asked Joe for advice,” he said. “He’s a close friend of mine from our Charlton days. Joe used to train with my nonleague team as well. Then he signed for Staines and got his move to Charlton.

“He said it was a good league and I should do well here.

“I’ve thanked Joe for his advice but warned him there will be no friends on the pitch when we play Rangers.

“I was surprised when he moved to Scotland because there were a lot of good English teams linked with him.

“But it has been a great move for Joe. He is still young and developing as a player at Rangers.”

It wasn’t long ago Matty Kennedy was scoring for St Johnstone against Aberdeen. Tonight he will be attempting to do the opposite after his January move.

Saints boss Wright said: “I have nothing but praise for Matty. He did well for me. I said when he came that we would give him a platform to play and I kept my word on that.

“I did say he would either get a longer contract here or get a move, because he was a good player.

“I would’ve liked to have kept him for a little longer but he went with my best wishes. He was excellent for me and didn’t cause me one problem.”

On Aberdeen’s form and the pressure from the stands building on Derek Mcinnes, Wright said: “In terms of other seasons, it’s probably just a wee bit short of where they have been. But they are only three points off Motherwell again.

“I know Aberdeen is a big club but I think the level of criticism this year is over the top.

“I’m not surprised by it because that is the world we live in now. It’s so easy for people to criticise.”

Isaiah Jones: Looking forward to showing Saints fans what he can do.