A UNITED FRONT

McCulloch tips Shankland to spearhead Scots’ Euro bid

AS Steve Clarke begins to devise his plans for the Euro 2020 play-off with Israel on March 26, he could scarcely be said to have boundless options in the forward area.

Leigh Griffiths hasn’t scored for Celtic since August and may find opportunities to impress increasingly hard to come by when hostilities resume.

Oli McBurnie has claimed four goals for high-flying Sheffield United but, bluntly, has yet to look the part in the senior international set-up.

Steven Naismith is back in training for Hearts and remains Clarke’s best option if fully functioning. But, at 33, he has started to forget what a prolonged injury-free period of football feels like.

There are other options — Oli Burke, presently of Alaves, and Johnny Russell of Sporting Kansas City — none of whom would dare to claim that they are the most potent striker at Clarke’s disposal.

As things stand, were Clarke simply to go with form, he would have no option but to plumb for the man currently tearing up the Scottish Championship.

Lawrence Shankland’s hat-trick for Dundee United at Partick Thistle at the weekend brought him to 24 club goals for the season, in addition to the one he’s already claimed in his two appearances for his country.

If it’s only correct to factor in the lower level the 24-year-old is playing at, only a fool would consider him a flat-track bully.

For Lee McCulloch, the winner of 18 caps and Shankland’s striker coach at Tannadice, there isn’t a shred of doubt that the former Ayr United player would do the necessary against Israel if asked.

‘Absolutely — as long as he has the right players round about him,’ said the 41-year-old. ‘I think he would suit the system Steve Clarke wants to use with the national team.

‘His form this season has been excellent and he also has one goal from two appearances with

Scotland, so he deserves to be in the squad.

‘Any Scot who’s scoring regularly should be included. I see Lawrence as offering something different from the others, anyway.

‘Steven Naismith is fantastic, but he’s had injuries, Leigh Griffiths isn’t yet fully fit and Oli McBurnie’s been doing it for Sheffield United but Lawrence is something else again.

‘He’s a more natural goalscorer than McBurnie, thanks to his movement and his clinical finishing. He’s also added work-rate — which wasn’t always there a few years ago — to his game. Credit to him because he’s wanted to get better.’ Shankland’s exposure to full international football has been limited to 45 minutes in Russia and the full game against San Marino in which he scored. While the purpose of each exercise for the national side amounted to little more than fulfilling fixtures at the end of a forgettable campaign, for the man taking his first steps at that level, they were hugely significant. ‘I think that gave him extra confidence,’ added McCulloch. ‘Every footballer in the world needs more confidence and, when he came back from those Scotland games... I wouldn’t say there was a swagger about him, but there was added belief and our other players took something from it too because they now have an international star as a team-mate. ‘So the experience was good all round for everyone and great exposure for the club.’ Now 17 points clear at the top of the Championship table, it’s pretty obvious where United will be playing their football next season. With each passing week, though, the colour of jersey Shankland (left) will be wearing around that time is becoming less clear. Scouted by Celtic, Queens Park Rangers and Nottingham Forest at the weekend, United have resolved to reject all bids this month. But, come the summer, if offers resembling telephone numbers start rolling in, there may come a point where the money being tabled will outweigh his worth to the club.

With the player evidently improving at Tannadice and with the club hoping to make a real impact upon its return, McCulloch sees no reason for anyone to blink.

‘It’s important that we keep him,’ he stated. ‘I’d be staggered if bids don’t come in for him this month and even both halves of the Old Firm must be interested in him due to the goals return he has.

‘Lawrence can play as a lone striker or one of two up front and you can see how good he is outside the box as well. His touch has improved and so has his movement.

‘He’s also shown resilience after things didn’t work out at Aberdeen, by joining Ayr United and then moving to Tannadice. He works so hard — he’s in the gym before and after training every single day. He’s grounded and he always wants to do extra, which is great to see.

‘We want to keep him as long as possible.’