‘Shanks will eventually move to England’
Lawrence Shankland spurned a move to England to join Dundee United.
But Mark Reynolds reckons the striker will be rewarded in the long term – just like two of his ex-aberdeen teammates.
Shankland spent last season being courted by the likes of Sunderland, Hull City and Swansea City after hitting the goal trail with Ayr United.
Despite offers to head south, he put pen to paper on a shock deal with Championship title-chasers United.
But Reynolds, who played with Shankland at Aberdeen, reckons the 23-year-old has made a shrewd descision.
“It was a bit of a surprise, but I can see why he’s come here,” he said.
“I liken it to Aberdeen signing Graeme Shinnie and Kenny Mclean at that time.
“Sometimes you can move down to England, as Lawrence had the chance to, and get eaten up for reasons that are completely outwith your control.
“But if you come to a team like United, who have aspirations, and can play a big part in making them come to fruition, you usually get the chance to move on to a bigger club again.
“If Lawrence can give us a couple of years, like Mclean and Shinnie did at Aberdeen, then he’ll get his move down to England as a player that has played a hundred-odd games for a big team, who will hopefully be back in the Premiership by the time he goes.
“Signing him is a statement of intent because he is a goalscorer.
“But not only that, it’s his all-round play. He’s always looking to create that half-yard to shoot, but it’s the way he holds the ball up too.
“He’s quite happy if that half-yard isn’t there to set players up and link the play.
“So it’s a great signing. He’s a great player and when we heard it got over the line we were absolutely delighted.”
United kick off their campaign on Friday night against Hearts in the League Cup.
Reynolds expects the Jam Tarts to test the Tangerines. But he believes there could be a shock on the cards.
“It’s a huge step up but sometimes it can be easier playing the big teams as the occasion takes care of itself,” he said.
“We’re going to Tynecastle, one of my favourite stadiums to play at. The atmosphere is second-to-none.
“It’s a night game, it’s on TV, the pitch will be immaculate, so it will be a big test for us, but it will let us see where we really are, because Hearts are a top side with top players.”