Shanks’ hat-trick is clouded by a nasty injury for Nicky
partick thistle 1
Miler (87)
dundee United 4 Shankland (38, 60, 66) Sporle (45)
Lawrence Shankland ended his frustration at going two games without scoring by hitting a perfect hat-trick against Partick Thistle. Dundee United now have a 17-point lead at the top of the Championship and only a monumental collapse will stop them running away with title.
A nasty ankle injury sustained by striker Nicky Clark spoiled what was otherwise a hugely pleasing victory for the Tangerines.
Manager Robbie Neilson said: “It was great for Lawrence to get a hattrick, but a wee bit of a downer with Nicky having to go to the hospital.
“It looks like he might be out for an extended period, which is a blow because he’s been a big player for us on the pitch and in the dressing room. “We were missing a number of players. Harkes, Mcmullan and Butcher are guys who have been regulars, but the boys who came in were great.”
Neilson was particularly pleased by the impressive debut of American midfielder Dillon Powers. Shankland was delighted to be back amongst the goals and his form will hearten Scotland boss Steve Clarke.
He has 25 for the season and is looking the most potent striker for March’s Euro 2020 play-offs.
Shankland said: “I don’t think I’ve gone three games without scoring for a while. It was something I had been thinking about.
“Scotland isn’t on my mind constantly, but I know that if I’m performing at my best and scoring goals then I’ll be in with a good shout of playing in those games.
“All I can do is keep doing what I’m doing. This was the best I’ve played since I came back from injury.” The home side dominated possession early on but couldn’t hit the net.
Dario Zanatta produced a tame header when unchallenged in the box and Kenny Miller stabbed an effort straight at the keeper from close in. United went ahead when Shankland broke away from his markers and nodded home a Clark corner kick.
Argentinean Adrian Sporle then finished off a cross from Glass right on the stroke of half-time.
That was a real body blow to the Jags.
Shankland’s second came when he went on a long solo run without a tackle coming near him.
He cut across the penalty area and fired the ball inside the post.
The 24-year-old followed that up by exchanging passes with Peter Pawlett and finished with his left foot for a perfect hat-trick.
Thistle boss Ian Mccall cut a deeply frustrated figure.
He will be working on bringing in fresh faces during the transfer window.
The arrival of striker Zak Rudden appears to be imminent after he was recalled from a loan spell at Plymouth Argyle by Rangers.
He could be joined by Ross County’s Brian Graham and Hamilton’s out-offavour midfielder Darian Mackinnon.
Mccall was especially upset because it all seem so promising from the Jags until they went behind.
He said: “For the first half an hour it was the best we’ve played at Firhill.
“We were terrific and should have been ahead in the game but the second half was really poor from us.
“They have a centre-forward that could play for any team in Scotland and he’s playing in the Championship.”
Thistle’s consolation from Kenny Miller – his first as a fortysomething – came far too late.
There was a minute’s applause before the game in memory Colin Weir, the Euromillions winner who gave so much to Thistle.
His majority shareholding will be gifted to the fans later this month.
Those running the club will be mightily relieved if Ian Mccall can make sure there’s no relegation fight at the end of the season.
For United, the only way is up.