Shankland’s price tag could drop after miss, jokes boss

AYR boss Ian McCall has joked that Swansea City and Celtic target Lawrence Shankland’s transfer value has dropped after the striker missed a sitter that would have moved his team top of the pile at Christmas.

Ayr are going great guns in the Scottish Championship this season, mainly thanks to Shankland’s red-hot form.

He has scored 28 goals in all competitions so far this campaign but he could not grab a last-gasp winner in Ayr’s draw against Dunfermline.

McCall was disappointed, but made light of Shankland’s miss.

“I thought it was a poor, poor game, I didn’t enjoy watching it,” said McCall. “We know Dunfermline are under a lot of pressure and they’re fighting for their lives, but I don’t think we were better than them.

“But there were two chances in the game, and they fell to Michael Moffat and Lawrence. They’ve both got to score, it’s as simple as that.

“There were two good chances – and Lawrence’s transfer fee is down to £499,000 now after missing! But I cannot say anything about Lawrence Shankland. He’s scored 57 in 57, so he’s done not bad.”

McCall had talked recently about Shankland’s future, along with the club’s chairman, with speculation raging over where he would be playing his football at the end of next month.

Ayr hope that, if he does seek pastures new, that he will at least stay with The Honest Men until the end of the season.

Somerset Park chief Cameron told the Scottish Sun: “In a perfect world that would be the scenario we’d like – to have Shankland loaned back immediately.

“He would be secure for his future, and Ayr would get his services until the end of the season, so everybody is happy.

“The long-term future of Ayr would be greatly enhanced with promotion to the Premiership.

“I’ve not talked to Swansea directly and we’ve had no official communication.

“That £200,000 does not really do anything for us. We’ve got a realistic chance of finishing, first, second or third, and that’s with Shankland.

“Without Shankland in the team I think it would be much tougher. If we ended up in fourth, fifth or sixth the difference in prize money alone is more than £200,000.”

McCall believes the asking price would be nearer the £500,000 mark for a player who has been prolific since his move to Ayr during the summer of 2017.

Up to 20 teams have scouted him this season, including Sunderland and Rangers.