HERO FEARED A TOTAL WASHOUT
BEAMING Lawrence Shankland admitted his goal against San Marino capped a dream start for Scotland.
The Dundee United ace pounced on a Scott McTominay rocket that hit the crossbar to claim his first Scotland goal after making his debut from the bench in Russia.
He said: “Has it been one of the best weeks of my life? Definitely.
“Just being called up for the national team was great. Then the other night against Russia I came on much earlier than anticipated.
“The result was disappointing but it was a great experience for me to play in a stadium like that in front of a huge crowd.
“I’m delighted with this. I knew I’d get chances because San Marino let teams have the ball.
“It wasn’t the prettiest goal I’ve ever scored but I’ll take it.
“If I didn’t score tonight people would have been saying ‘he’s no good’. The fact that it was San Marino was something I ignored and thankfully I scored anyway.”
Shankland admitted he was worried the ref would abandon the game.
He said: “It wasn’t great out there and the ball was stopping. I was thinking BY MICHAEL GANNON ‘surely not’. I certainly wasn’t wanting it called off after I scored.
“Mind you, I think John McGinn would have been more spewing because it was his first hat-trick. He was panicking a bit.
“It was obviously lesser opposition but we still had to get the job done.
“We went about the game professionally and moved the ball quickly.”
Shankland’s call-up caused a stir given he’s playing in the Championship but the 24-year-old is determined to remain part of Steve Clarke’s plans.
He said: “He (the boss) wasn’t going to approach it as if I shouldn’t be here. I had to get involved and that’s what I’ve done.
“I’ve been playing with great players and that can only make you better.
“I want to be involved in every squad going now. I’m not getting carried away though.
“I’ll go back to my club and keep doing what I can and hopefully keep up the form that got me in this squad.
“It’s Queen of the South on Saturday down the road on their astro pitch.
“It might not be the most glamorous fixture but I’ll be approaching it professionally and trying to help my team get a win.”