Celtic urged to make move for Shankland

Former Tannadice defender insists goalscorer would be big hit at Parkhead

Former Dundee United defender Mark Wilson has urged Celtic, another one of his old clubs, to make a move for Tannadice hero Lawrence Shankland.

The Parkhead side’s head of recruitment, Nick Hammond, and chief scout, Tosh McKinlay, have watched the Championship title winner in action this season.

The Scotland international, 24, scored 29 goals in 35 appearances for club and country during the 2019/20 campaign.

He has also attracted interest from Rangers, Nottingham Forest, Stoke City and QPR.

Neil Lennon’s Celts already have forwards Odsonne Edouard, Leigh Griffiths and Vakoun Issouf Bayo at their disposal but Wilson, 35, is confident Shankland could make an impact in Glasgow.

Speaking to the Scottish Sun, the Brechin boss said: “I don’t know if you’re going to get someone to knock Edouard off the perch and be the No 1 striker but if you’re looking for an out-andout goalscorer and someone who can convert chances to goals, you’ve got to say Shankland can do that.

“I know he’s done it at a lower level but a goalscorer is a goalscorer.

“He’s 24, still a good age and has served his apprenticeship well at Aberdeen and St Mirren then built his confidence up at Ayr and now Dundee United.

“He’s unstoppable in front of goal just now and I tend to think with the amount of chances Celtic create, you would find it hard to believe he wouldn’t convert at least 20 of them a season.

“If you look at his record over the past seasons his goal return is remarkable and people say it’s a lower level, but at Celtic you’re playing with better players who create just as many chances as players at United would.”

But Shankland, who finished the second tier’s top scorer ahead of Dunfermline’s Kevin Nisbet, remains relaxed about his Tannadice future.

Last month he handed United supporters a massive boost by saying how much he was looking forward to playing for them in the Premiership.

The striker – who featured in the top flight for the Dons earlier in his career – said: “I’m delighted to be going back to that level and giving it a bash.

“When I see pictures of myself from my time at Aberdeen, I was a kid back then.

“I was this baby-faced guy with bad acne and I didn’t look a Premiership player. When I look at the bigger picture, I feel I’m ready for the Premiership now.

“I’m better prepared for it and I have grown up a lot since then.

“We have had a tough few years in the Championship so to be part of the squad that’s taken us up to the top league is great.

“I am looking forward to some big games against all the top teams in the Premiership.”

Wilson also believes John Souttar and Lennon’s Scottish champions would be the perfect fit.

He is a huge fan of the Hearts and Scotland centre-back, 23, after playing alongside him during his second spell at Tannadice.

The Ladbrokes ambassador said: “I saw his talent early on at Dundee United and he’s been very unlucky with injury but there’s no doubt in my mind a fully fit John Souttar would fit the way Celtic play.

“He’s a centre half who has huge confidence in himself who does take a few risks at the back but he plays good football from the back and that’s what’s required at Celtic, someone who is composed on the ball.

“He fits that mould and has plenty of pace about him. He’s got an old head on him for such a young man and, again, he’s made a move to a club where fans expect and he’s won them over.

“He’s also got Scotland caps as well, and I think going to Celtic Park wouldn’t faze him.”