United won’t repeat their mistakes by selling Shankland
Lawrence Shankland is the striker at the top of multiple clubs’ Christmas lists.
But Tony Asghar insists Dundee United’s prize asset is not for sale this festive season – at ANY price.
Shankland’s scoring exploits for club and country have caught the eye of a number of suitors, with Nottingham Forest recently linked with a seven-figure swoop.
Both Old Firm sides have also scouted the United star.
On Friday night, Shankland will be a focal point in the latest Dundee derby of the Championship season, having scored against the Dee in the previous two meetings this term.
While the Tangerines’ sporting director understands other clubs casting admiring glances, he insists Shankland will be going nowhere in the next transfer window, no matter how much cash is put on the table.
“There is always going to be interest in a player like Lawrence,” said Asghar.
“On top of the goals he has scored – and is still scoring – in the league, he’s been in Scotland squads, he has scored for Scotland, and we, as a club, have to be aware that interest will follow.
“But we’re in a position where we won’t be selling in January.
“That’s with the backing of the owners and the management group.
“The way we look at it is that we’ve got a job to do – to get promoted. That’s our goal, first and foremost.
“Lawrence himself is aware of that and he’s comfortable with it, as are his representatives.
“He knows this is a long game for him. Like all of us, he has seen players jump too soon at times.
“But with respect to Ayr United, Lawrence is at a different level of club now.
“I really hope he goes on to have a great career at the top level in England. In fact, I know he can do. “Eventually, he will move on.
“But a sale in January is not something we need. What we need is to get back to the Premiership.
“For that reason, I can’t see a figure that could turn the club’s head next month.”
United’s commanding lead at the top of the Championship lends credibility to their “not-for-sale” policy on Shankland.
A fifth season in the Championship would be unthinkable – and Shankland’s goals are helping to fend off that nightmare scenario.
But Asghar is just as happy to have gaffer Robbie Nielson, who took Hearts up from the Championship at the first time of asking, tied to a deal through to 2022.
“The manager has been in this movie before, which definitely makes it more comfortable for everyone,” he said.
“He has plenty experience of where we are at the moment, and how to manage the situation. But he also has the kind of experience we need as we look to move into phase two of the project.
“He has built an environment for the staff and the team where everybody looks forward to coming into their work, which is priceless.
“That has fed into turning Tannadice into a fortress for us – we’ve not lost a league game at home all season – and that has helped the fans start to come back onside.
“They have been fantastic, but I think they’ll be even more onside once we’ve actually achieved something, which is what we’re all working towards.
“Having the manager leading from the front and having him on a longer-term contract gives us the kind of stability that can only help.
“We see so much change in football – both in England and in Scotland – but having turnover of coaches and players all the time can only disrupt.
“We want to create a stable environment for everyone’s benefit – the coaches, the players, the staff and the fans.”