The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Shankland wants to stay and win league
TANGERINES: Striker ‘flattered’ by transfer speculation – but United are his priority
Dundee United striker Lawrence Shankland has pledged to stay at Tannadice.
The 28-goal striker is attracting attention from clubs both north and south of the border after another stellar season in front of goal.
The January transfer window slams shut at midnight tonight – but the news that the former Aberdeen and Ayr forward is keen to continue playing a key role in United’s Championship title drive will come as a huge boost to fans.
Shankland, who scored a wonderful goal in United’s 4-2 William Hill Scottish Cup defeat at the hands of Hibernian on Tuesday, said: “It is flattering knowing that there is interest from big clubs in England and Scotland. It is great to hear and read but I genuinely believe that Dundee United is the best place for me at this stage in my career.
“United are a team on the up and why would I want to leave the club just now?
“I came here to get Dundee United back into the Premiership and that is what I plan to do.
“I know how desperate everybody is to get the club back in the Premiership and it would have been wrong for me to even think about leaving just now.”
Boss Robbie Neilson was delighted with the news, saying: “Lawrence has committed to the club, which is great. He wants to win the title.”
Dundee United striker Lawrence Shankland has pledged to stay at Tannadice because he wants to be a title winner.
That is the view of his boss Robbie Neilson, who was thrilled to hear Shankland’s promise to remain at Tannadice beyond this transfer window.
Neil son has been working hard behind the scenes along with United chairman Mark Ogren and sporting director Tony Asghar to make a case for his star striker to hang around for at least the rest of this season.
Those discussions with the player and his agent appear to have paid off, although there is obviously still the possibility of a too-big-to-turn-down bid coming in at the last minute and ripping up the script.
Any offer would need to be massive, though, and fans can perhaps begin to relax a bit ahead of the window’s closure at midnight tonight.
It seems the lure of a likely winner’s medal – United currently sit 18 points clear at the top of the Championship – has helped make up Shankland’s mind. Neilson said: “Yes, we are delighted. “Myself, the chairman and Tony have had conversations with Lawrence and his agent.
“Lawrence has committed to the club, which is great. He wants to try and help us win the title here.
“We have given him a platform and it is great reassurance for us.”
Shankland delivered the words United fans want to hear just a couple of days after scoring a wonderful opening goal against Premiership side Hibs in the William Hill Scottish Cup replay at Easter Road, a match that United eventually lost 4-2.
It took his numbers for the season to 28 for club and one for country, and he will be looking to add plenty more as United chase promotion and the national side attempt to qualify for Euro 2020 via the play-offs.
Shankland said: “It is flattering knowing that there is interest from big clubs in England and Scotland.
“It is great to hear and read but I genuinely believe that Dundee United is the best place for me at this stage in my career.
“United are a team on the up and why would I want to leave the club just now?
“I came here to get Dundee United back into the Premiership and that is what I plan to do.
“I know how desperate everybody is to get the club back in the Premiership and it would have been wrong for me to even think about leaving just now.
“The fans and everybody at the club have waited long enough to get back to the Premiership and I want to be part of a Dundee United squad that takes this club back where they belong.”
Two players do look to be heading elsewhere, with Cammy Smith expected to join Irish side Dundalk and Matty Smith also crossing the sea to join Waterford.
There could be some arrivals, too, with Neilson adding: “Possibly but we have to make sure they are the right ones that come in.
“I genuinely believe that Dundee United is the best place for me at this stage in my career. LAWRENCE SHANKLAND
“We have a really good group here and young ones coming through, so there are one or two things but they would need to be right for us.”
Neilson will be a relieved man when the window shuts and he can pick Shankland to play against Arbroath at Tannadice tomorrow.
It was the prolific frontman who saved the day for the Tangerines the last time the Lichties visited, with his lastgasp double securing a 2-1 victory on September 21.
Unsurprisingly, that dramatic day is still fresh in Neilson’s memory.
He said: “We played them here last time and we were 1-0 down in the 89th minute.
“Obviously (Arbroath manager) Dick Campbell is a wily, old fox so he will come here and make it difficult for us.
“But we need to get back to winning ways and get the cup game out of our heads.”
● Hibs midfielder Joe Newell has hailed Hibs ‘legend’ Steven Whittaker after the veteran turned in a fine showing in the 4-2 Scottish Cup win over United.
The 35-year-old has been reinvented as a central midfielder in recent appearances and struck up a rapport with Newell.
“The best part of the match in midweek was playing alongside Steven Whittaker – he’s a legend,” said Newell, who claimed three assists against the Tangerines.
“I can’t speak highly enough of him, from the way he trains to the way he plays for his age.
“He is great to have around the place, he is always there to give the boys advice and just to share the pitch and play centre-mid beside him was an honour.”
● Former Dundee United keeper Cammy Bell has left Falkirk.
The 33-year-old, who has also played for Rangers and Kilmarnock, dropped down the divisions to join the League One side in the summer after leaving Partick Thistle.
However, after kicking off the season as the number one choice of previous manager Ray Mckinnon, the Scotland cap picked up an injury and has been unable to regain his starting place now that Lee Miller and David Mccracken are in charge.