GOING UP IS OUR TOP PRIORITY
LAWRENCE SHANKLAND knows Dundee United could make a statement of their future Premiership aims at Tynecastle tonight.
The prolific striker is set to make his competitive United debut against Hearts in their Betfred Cup opener.
Shankland knocked back clubs on both sides of the border to join United from Ayr and the primary aim was to fire the Tayside club back into the top BY SCOTT BURNS flight. Shankland said: “That was part of my decision to come here, I felt it was an achievable step for my career.
“The aim is promotion, simple. We need to get this club back to the Premier League where it should be.
“It’s something that needs put right. Hopefully we can do it this year.
“We have a big game coming up this week and hopefully we can do well in it and the cups so that when we go into the league, we’re ready to go.”
Shankland’s stunning form for Ayr in the second tier made him hot property this summer.
Now he is looking to show he can cut it against Scotland’s best.
Shankland said: “I’ve never played at Tynecastle so it’s something I am looking forward to doing.”
The 23-year-old scored more than 70 goals over the last two seasons and knows he need to provide the firepower for United boss Robbie Neilson.
But Shankland said: “I’m not going to put myself under major pressure to get a number.”
Tannadice new boy Adam King could make his debut against old club Hearts tonight after signing a three-year deal.
United have also handed a trial to ex-Motherwell defender Ben Hall.