Dundee United assistant head coach Lee McCulloch has claimed that Rangers and Celtic must be interested in Lawrence Shankland, as quoted by the Dundee Courier.
Shankland has 25 goals in 26 appearances for club and country this season and netted a perfect hat-trick in a 4-1 victory for the Terrors at Partick Thistle on Saturday afternoon.
After that game, he was hailed by both managers, with Jags boss Ian McCall claiming he could play ‘in any team in Scotland.’
Now, United coach and former Rangers captain, McCulloch, has asserted that he will have caught the eye of Scotland’s big two.
“It is important that we keep him,” he said, as quoted by the Dundee Courier.
“I would be staggered if bids don’t come in for him this month and even both halves of the Old Firm must be interested due to the goals return he has.
“Lawrence can play as a lone striker or one of two up front, and you can see how good he is outside the box as well. His touch has improved and so has his movement.”
Verdict
It’s a big claim to assume Old Firm transfer interest, but Shankland has been in red hot form over the last season and a half, albeit at Championship level.
He was certainly hugely impressive at the weekend, scoring three and playing a big part in the other United goal.
On a day when Thistle showed plenty of fight, particularly in the first half, his obvious extra quality was the main difference between the teams.
The Scottish Sun reported that Celtic’s Nick Hammond was in attendance to have a look at the 24-year-old, but Rangers’ last reported scouting mission was back in September [Daily Record].
Given the lack of concrete Rangers links so far during this window, it seems highly unlikely they will make any move this month, and even if they did, United would either refuse to sell or ask for an outrageous transfer fee.
With the forward tied to Tannadice for other two-and-a-half years, his club are currently in a strong position.
