All the stats were outshone by Shank’s long-range stunner

DUNDEE United star Lawrence Shankland lit up Scottish football on Tuesday night with his wonder goal against St Johnstone.

The Tangerines and Scotland ace netted one of the strikes of the season when he collected a pass from Louis Appere on the right wing, just inside the Saints half (52.98 yards out according to Opta), before catching Zander Clark out with a spectacular shot.

Scotland legend James McFadden – no stranger to the spectacular during his illustrious playing career – was blown away by what he’d seen.

Speaking on BBC Sportsound, he said: “Sensational. Brilliant finish. Zander Clark running back, absolutely no chance.

“Magnificent from Lawrence Shankland.

“For him to have the vision to see it first of all, but then the audacity to try it and the execution, was absolutely magnificent.”

Looking at the numbers

In truth, the goal came on an evening that was far from Shankland’s finest in a Dundee United shirt.

And the Opta data was unforgiving: total duels 13 (including four in the air), duels won zero; four fouls conceded (the most in United’s team) and five touches in the opposition box (compared to 10 for St Johnstone frontman Guy Melamed), all in the first half. But the stat that mattered most was this: three shots, one on target, one goal.

In September, Tele sports writer Ian Roache compiled a list of Shankland’s top five United goals following his stunning volley at home to St Mirren.

Of that strike, he wrote: “The technique he showed to twist his body and then almost cushion the volley was sublime.”

Also on the list was the Scottish Cup screamer against Hibs (January 2020) and his fine solo goal at Dens Park against Dundee (November 2019).

One of Shankland’s finest efforts to date was for Ayr United against Partick Thistle in July 2018.

That saw him catch out former United keeper Cammy Bell with an audacious first-time strike from distance.

But it’s fair to say, even as his career progresses, Tuesday night’s stunner will take a bit of beating.

Even Saints boss Callum Davidson praised Shankland’s second-half equaliser.

He said: “I didn’t think he was going to shoot but it was just a wonder goal and sometimes you have to hold your hands up.

“He has the capability to do that and he showed that tonight.”

Shankland’s goal measured 52.98 yards.