Lawrence ticking all the boxes for Tony

TONY ASGHAR has backed Lawrence shankland to play a starring role for scotland at Euro 2024 and insists his best is still to come. shankland joined up with the scotland squad this week as the nation’s in-form striker on the back of his impressive 27-goal haul for hearts. Asghar was the sporting director who took the freescoring frontman from Ayr to Dundee United where he first forced his way into steve Clarke’s squad back in 2019 – as a Championship player. shankland aims to impress in the friendlies against holland and Northern Ireland as he looks to cement his place in the national squad for germany this summer. Asghar said: “There is no doubt scotland have a very strong squad. Lawrence actually offers something different to what they already have. he can lead the line or even play in the No.10 role. “Lawrence is only 28 and I still think he has to hit his peak. “There is no doubt he can go on and become a top striker for scotland and I can see him playing at the Euros this year. “I know Lawrence is having an unbelievable season with hearts but I am in no doubt his best is still to come. “he is getting better but I think he can still kick on again. “I have seen the way he looks after himself, how he plays and he always wants to work hard, learn and to try and better himself.” Asghar knows playing for scotland is a huge deal for shankland. It was part of his thinking when he left Ayr for Tannadice in 2019. he explained: “Lawrence wanted to go into an environment where he could score goals. he knew we could help him improve and he had worked with a few of our players before. “We knew his ambitions were there and he stated before he came to United that he wanted to break into the national team.” shankland now has seven caps and two goals and Asghar added: “he is a very good professional and is well respected. “he just takes things in his stride and that is why I believe Lawrence can go on to another level, especially with scotland.”