Shankland eyes Scots strike role

FREE-SCORING Hearts forward Lawrence Shankland feels he is giving himself “a good opportunity” of going to this summer’s European Championships with Scotland.

The Jambos captain netted his 27th goal of the season to secure a 2-0 home win over Celtic on Sunday, with national team manager Steve Clarke watching on from the stand.

Shankland was left out of the Scotland squad for the October doubleheader against Spain and France, and he was initially omitted for the most recent gathering in November before being given a belated call-up for the matches against Georgia and Norway after Che Adams withdrew.

Shankland did his cause no harm by stepping off the bench to score a stoppage-time equaliser in the 2-2 draw away to Georgia.

Since then, he has taken his club form to new heights by netting 22 goals in his last 23 appearances, prompting many to suggest that he should not just be in the squad for Germany but deserves to be Scotland’s first-choice striker.

Shankland said: “Hopefully, I impressed and put on a good performance.

“All you can do is try to do as well as you can.

“I feel like I am doing pretty well. Leading the line for Hearts, scoring goals and being a leader as well. I am giving myself a good opportunity.”

Shankland missed training in the days leading up to the Celtic game after struggling with a muscle strain. However, he insists the issue is nothing to worry about ahead of Monday’s Scottish Cup quarter-final away to Morton.

He said: “It was just a wee niggle. I probably felt worse going into the Hibs game, if I’m honest.”

Lawrence Shankland.