Shankland off the mark, but United lose to a spirited Sons side
dumbarton 3 Trialist 48, Trialist 65, Trialist 80 dundee united 2 Shankland (58), Appere (77 pen)
Robbie Neilson found a reason to be cheerful despite Dundee United losing their last warm-up match at Dumbarton.
Lawrence Shankland scored his first goal for the club after completing his move from Ayr United.
And his manager played down any talk that Stevie May would be joining him from Aberdeen.
Shankland opened his Tangerines’ account midway through the second half after passing up two chances earlier in the match.
The 23-year-old striker converted his most difficult opportunity by rising high to nod a cross past the keeper.
A lot of United’s promotion hopes are resting on the striker’s shoulders and the fans will hope he can reproduce the form that saw him bag 24 league goals for Ayr last term.
Neilson was delighted to see the new signing break his duck.
He said: “It was important for Lawrence to get off the mark, but I never doubted he would get one quickly because he’s a finisher.
“I’m sure he will score a lot of goals for us.
“He did a bit of training on his own during the summer and when we did a fitness test he came in mid-table with the rest of the squad.
“It’s just a case of managing him through now.
“We’ve a big game against Hearts at Tynecastle in the League Cup on Friday night and he’ll be involved in that at some point.”
United were given a stiff test by a lively Dumbarton.
They found it a lot more taxing than the 6-0 victory against Brechin the previous night, although two games in less than
24 hours is a big ask for any side.
Neilson denied that he was moving for Stevie May, who appears to be surplus to requirements a Aberdeen and has been linked with a possible move to St Johnstone.
He said: “It seems that half the teams in Scotland have been linked with Stevie.
“There’s no doubt he’s a decent player but we’ve just brought in Lawrence, so it’s not something we’re looking to do at the moment.”
Dumbarton boss Jim Duffy, meanwhile, is definitely in the market for players.
He fielded 10 trialists as he continues to rebuild his squad.
And the Sons’ goals were all scored by potential recruits – ex-dulwich Hamlet striker Muhammadu Faal, former Morton and Falkirk player Joe Mckee and Mati Zata, who was on the books of Rangers and Dundee United.
Duffy said: “I was pleased with the work the players did, especially as three of the boys only turned up on the morning of the game and another two came on Thursday.
“We have 11 signed players at the moment and need another four or five at least just to be ready to start the season.”