No fear now we got Law on our side
PAUL McMULLAN insists Lawrence Shankland was destined to get Dundee United out of jail – and is on course to hoist them back to the Premiership.
The Tangerines ace marvelled as striker Shankland came to the rescue for Robbie Neilson’s side with a late double to leave impressive Arbroath heartbroken at Tannadice.
Luke Donnelly had given Dick Campbell’s part-time visitors their deserved 52nd-minute lead.
But Shankland finished in style from fellow sub McMullan’s 88th-minute through ball before his 92nd-minute header from Liam Smith’s cross ensured United remained top of the Championship on goal difference above rivals Ayr United.
Former Somerset Park star Shankland has been prolific since his summer switch, hitting 12 goals in only 11 games.
And winger McMullan has revealed how he had no doubts the fans’ favourite would throw them a lifeline in the dying minutes as he strives to fire them back to where they feel they belong.
He said: “I did expect Lawrence to score – as soon as I saw he had controlled it I thought it was in and I was already thinking about how we can go and get a winner.
“He doesn’t usually miss from there so I was pretty confident it was going to be a goal. He has scored 12 already and we’re not even in October. Hopefully, he can keep it going.
“That’s why the club brought him here.
“That what they felt we needed and hopefully he continues to score like that for the whole season. He is right up there with the best strikers I’ve played with. He has all the finishes and it can be left foot, right foot or the head. It doesn’t really matter.
“I was surprised and relieved we got him. I’m thankful he’s here and didn’t go to a Premiership club or elsewhere.
“He is a natural scorer and someone who finishes off all your good work.
“You can pass the ball around the park for 90 minutes all you want but if don’t have someone to score then you don’t win.”
Arbroath’s James Murphy was disappointed but pledged the Lichties will carry on punching above their weight.
He said: “We’ve definitely surprised a few people this year but not ourselves. We said in pre-season we deserved to be in this league and we have shown why.
“We’re going to continue going forward and kicking on in this league. That’s why teams have been surprised by us.
“Sometimes you expect the newly-promoted side to just roll over but we won’t do that.”