The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Strikers could be Scotland heroes
Steve Clarke included Lawrence Shankland in his Scotland squad for next Thursday’s play-off against Serbia and told the Dundee United star and Celtic’s Leigh Griffiths that they could fire the nation to the Euros.
QPR’s Lyndon Dykes is likely to lead the line for Clarke’s side while Sheffield United duo Oliver Burke and Oli McBurnie, and Sheffield Wednesday’ s Callum Paterson, are also available.
But Tangerines talisman Shankland and Griffiths are in his thinking for the Serbia showdown, although the national team gaffer made it clear the Hoops hero will have to be at full fitness if he is to get his chance.
Celts boss Neil Lennon was left fuming when the frontman returned to preseason training overweight and admitted again after his recent strike against Aberdeen at Pittodrie that he was still not fully up to speed.
Clarke said: “When you look at Leigh over the years he’s always been a goal-scorer. He’ s a dangerous player in the 18-yard box.
“The goal he scored a couple of weeks ago at Aberdeen shows you what he’s all about really.
“Sometimes off the bench you need a goal and with Leigh in the squad he gives us that option.
“Lawrence Shankland gives us it too. The more options I’ve got, the better, and Leigh is certainly one of those options.
“I think he has to be 100% when he goes to the pitch. Whether he goes to the pitch for 97 minutes, 120 minutes or 20 minutes, he has to be 100%.
“Every player we’ re looking to play has to be at 100% for whatever amount of time they are on the pitch.”
Kieran Tierney, Ryan Christie and Stuart Armstrong return to the squad after missing the play-off semi-final win over Israel in the wake of Southampton star Armstrong ’s positive Covid-19 test.
Hearts keeper Craig Gordon is back, too, after an impressive display against Hibs at Hampden on Saturday.
Clarke explained: “I’ve always liked Craig as a goalkeeper. I actually spoke to Craig last year when he was at Celtic about his situation and where he was.
“I just felt he was very positive about being involved in the national team again.
“I think he made a big decision in the summer to leave Celtic and go play at Hearts, so he’s put himself out there.”
Clarke’s team will aim to finally end Scotland’s 22year wait to reach a major finals when they take on the Serbs, while their Nations League clashes could also have a major bearing on the Tartan Army’s 2022 World Cup hopes.
Scotland top League B2 and need just one more win to all but guarantee themselves the insurance policy of a play-off slot for the tournament in Qatar.
Meanwhile, Shankland’s inclusion rules him out of the club’s Betfred Cup group stage match with St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park next Tuesday.
The Tangerines said: “Lawrence Shankland will once again don a Scotland shirt as he’s been called up for this month’s crucial play-off final clash away in Serbia.
“Our striker has been included in Steve Clarke’s 27-man squad for a match that could see the country qualify for a national tournament for the first time since 1998.
“While it does mean Shanks will miss our final Betfred Cup group stage fixture away at St Johnstone next Tuesday night, Dundee United is proud to be represented in such a significant match in Scottish football history.
“He will also then be in line to face Slovakia and Israel away in the Uefa Nations League.
“Everyone at the club wishes Lawrence, Steve Clarke and everyone associated with the national team the best of luck and hope that this will finally be our year.”