Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
United frontman spectacular goal
LAWRENCE Shankland has dedicated his 53-yard wonder strike to the memory of Dundee United’s legendary manager Jim McLean.
It was a nice gesture from Shankland, who called it the best goal of his career so far and there have been a few contenders for that crown.
The Tannadice striker was just yards away from where the great McLean used to patrol the touchline when he fired a brilliant lob over the head of St Johnstone goalkeeper Zander Clark to earn the home team a 2-2 draw on Tuesday night.
It was a wonderful moment on a lovely evening when touching tributes were paid to McLean, whose death was announced on Boxing Day.
Shankland and his teammates wore T-shirts during their warm-up displaying the former boss’ picture, while there were two separate minutes of applause – one before kick-off and one on the 83rd minute to mark the year of United’s Premier Division championship win.
Shankland’s goal provided the moment of magic, which would have been appreciated by McLean as someone who loved players who could produce something special on the pitch.
The Scotland international said: “That goal can be for him.
“Obviously, it was an occasion for the club.
“We had the minute’s applause before the game and wore the T-shirts so that was a nice tribute to him.”
Asked where the long-distance lob, scored on 53 minutes to level up the game, ranked in his collection, Shankland placed it in the No 1 slot.
He said: “It is probably my best so far.
“I was just delighted to see it go in.
“I scored a good one against Partick Thistle when I was at Queen’s Park and then there was Hibs away (Scottish Cup replay for United last season) but that is probably the best.”
Shankland was asked, only halfjokingly, if he was now in the running for Fifa’s Puskas award that is given out for the “most beautiful or aesthetically pleasing” goal of the calendar year.
The last winner was Son HeungMin for Tottenham Hotspur against Burnley in the English Premier League.
A smiling Shankland replied: “I’ll take it if they are giving it out!”
He added: “You need to enjoy your own if you score one like that but I did see Kemar Roofe’s goal (for Rangers against Standard Liege) at the start of the season.
“David Beckham kind of started the trend of having a go and (Xabi) Alonso has done it too.
“I wouldn’t put myself in that category of player but I was delighted to score.”
Shankland revealed he had been keeping an eye on where Saints keeper Clark was standing