Cup offers platform to win Scotland recall
JUST when he thought he was in, they pulled him back out. The timing of the Godfatherin-reverse scenario could hardly have been worse for Lawrence Shankland.
Looking a certainty to be part of the Scotland set-up for the Euros, a fallow spell in front of goal saw the Dundee United striker omitted when Steve Clarke announced his selection for the recent round of World Cup qualifiers.
Rather than simply holding on to his place until the most important squad announcement on June 1, Shankland finds himself now having to do something special to oust those like Che Adams, Lyndon Dykes and Kevin Nisbet who have moved in front of him in the pecking order.
United’s conservative style of play under new manager Micky Mellon has meant chances for Shankland have been at a premium, a fact reflected in a return of just eight goals.
He points towards Hibernian and their more attack-minded approach serving Nisbet well, the Easter Road striker having alighted on 17 ahead of last night’s match with Motherwell.
Shankland is sharp enough to acknowledge that his fortunes are inextricably tied up with United’s.
Left with anywhere between four and six games left to show Clarke what he can do, helping his team get past former club Aberdeen this afternoon and into the Scottish Cup semifinals can only aid his chances.
“The cup is an opportunity for us to try to get some silverware,” he said. “First and foremost we have to get past Aberdeen and get a place at
Hampden. If we do that and go on a longer cup run then that’s going to be good for the team and also good for me.
“Of course I want to be involved at the Euros. Hopefully by the time the summer comes my best is good enough and I can be in the manager’s thoughts.
“It definitely helps your chances if the team you’re playing in is doing well. That improves you personally.
“You look at Hibs. They’re a team that tends to score a lot of goals and create a lot of chances. That definitely helps you as a striker if you’re up there and in about that.
“The system this year is one I’ve not played before and we have changed formation quite a lot. It’s been a learning curve.
“Last season, we were a team that dominated the ball in most games and I played in and around the box waiting on crosses coming in but this season’s been totally different.
“We don’t have that authority on games, the opposition is stronger and the games are more even. It’s a different role as a striker. People judge you on your numbers and your goals but I feel if you watch us week in, week out you would see I’ve not had that bad a season.”
Clarke called Shankland ahead of the last squad announcement to tell him he wouldn’t be included, creating this current situation where the player will likely need to make his mark over the closing games of the campaign to get back into the Scotland fold.
But Shankland is philosophical about whatever the future holds for him.
He added: “Steve called me when I wasn’t involved in the last squad and we had a good chat. He just told me his thoughts and it’s up for me to go now and prove myself.
“There are a lot of players out there and at that time there were a good few on form. That was how it panned out and I missed out. I’m not going to pile pressure on myself that I don’t need. I’ll do my best and if people see it as I’ve done something special to get myself in, then ideal. If I miss out and I have done my best, then that’s all I can do.”
Shankland has a year remaining on his United contract and recently signed up with a new agency to test the waters. He revealed: “I just felt it might be time to freshen things up and try a new avenue. I am coming into the last year of my contract here and sometimes you just need to have a look and see if there’s options, use somebody else’s phone book. I had a bit of interest from Storm Sports, it was Neil McCann I spoke to, he was working for them and it was something I wanted to take a wee chance on.”