Ayr United manager, Ian McCall, has spoken to BBC Scotland, about the future of Lawrence Shankland.
The 23-year-old striker scored a whopping 34 goals in 41 appearances this season. Therefore, it’s no surprise there has been speculation around him making a big move this summer.
The Daily Star reported back in March that both Rangers and Celtic are interested in the prolific forward, who is set to be available on a free.
McCall appears to confirm that one of the two Old Firm sides are interested. However, while he doesn’t reveal which, he does seem to counsel Shankland to turn that offer down in favour of a move to one of two unnamed English clubs.
“He has to go to a club where he will play,” he told BBC Scotland.
“There may be the option of a very, very big club, but would he play there every week, to take that next step and kick on again?
“One of them, it’s a club in Scotland and you need to be really mentally strong. That’s something I think Lawrence has, but the only way you find that is if you go through it. You can’t predict that it’s something you have to live through to find out if you have it.
“There are a couple of pretty sizeable clubs in England where I’m pretty sure he would play. One, in particular, would suit him, a sleeping giant type club.”
Verdict
McCall backtracks a little by claiming you only know if you have what it takes to play for this big club in Scotland if you give it a crack.
Yet, it seems pretty clear that he believes a switch to England would be better for Shankland.
While the Ayr boss doesn’t elaborate on whether he’s referring to the Gers or Celtic, it would be no surprise if Gerrard was in for this impressive goal machine.
With Kyle Lafferty reportedly on the brink of departing [The Scotsman] and Alfredo Morelos’ future uncertain, he may need reinforcements up front.
Shankland’s record across 2018/19 speaks for itself and as he’s available on a free, a move would incur no financial risk.
