Clarke drafts in Shankland for national service

● In-form ex-Dons striker named in squad

Steve Clarke hopes Lawrence Shankland can be the natural finisher Scotland have been crying out for. The Dundee United striker was rewarded for his sparkling start to the new campaign with a place in Clarke’s squad for the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers against Russia and San Marino.

The former Aberdeen player has been in blistering form in the Scottish Championship with 13 goals in seven appearances, including a fourgoal haul against Caley Thistle on the opening day.

The 24-year-old is the first player from Scotland’s second tier to be called up to the national team since Hibernian’s John McGinn two years ago and Clarke feels Shankland deserves his chance.

He said: “Obviously he’s a goalscorer, he’s in form.

“I know Lawrence quite well from my time here in Scotland having watched him a few times, and it’s not an area that we are overburdened with top strikers.

“Lawrence is in form and deserves his chance.

“The best way to look at him and gauge what level he is at is to bring him into the squad.

“It’s an opportunity to have him in the group, see how he works in the squad and hopefully he can score a few goals for us.

“He is going to come into the group with a lot of confidence.

“He scores goals with his head, left foot and right foot.

“He is a natural finisher and that is something that we maybe haven’t had in the squad recently. Hopefully this will address that.”

Clarke believes Shankland’s inclusion proves that he will cast the net far and wide in search of Scottish talent to boost the national cause.

There was, however, no place in the squad for Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths, while Oli Burke has earned a recall and uncapped Sheffield United midfielder John Fleck is also included.

Clarke said: “Leigh hasn’t been involved with Celtic.

“Hopefully I have managed to put another goalscorer into the squad and we have a chance to see what Lawrence can do.

“It sends a message that if you are doing well you always have the chance to be selected for your country.

“I know Lawrence is delighted he has been called up.

“It is a chance for me to see him, gauge him against the other players in the squad.”

Southampton midfielder Stuart Armstrong and West Brom winger Matt Phillips have dropped out, along with the injured Steven Naismith.

Aberdeen’s Mikey Devlin has retained his place in the squad but Kieran Tierney misses out.

The former Celtic left-back made his Arsenal debut last week following a lengthy spell out with pelvic trouble.

Scotland are sitting in fifth position in Group I ahead of the trip to Moscow to face Russia a week tomorrow.

With only two wins from their opening six matches, qualification from the group appears highly unlikely but the Scots have the safety net of a play-off earned through the Nations League to fall back upon.

The Scotland manager added: “You always have to be open-minded and prepared to try one or two new things.

“It is also important that I keep faith with the players and squad that I have got.”

Terrorising defences: Lawrence Shankland has been brilliant for Dundee United, netting 13 times in seven Championship games