THE CAP WILL FIT NOW

Shankland is eager to resurrect his international career after Gorgie goal rush

LAWRENCE SHANKLAND secured himself a slice of Hearts history last weekend. A well-taken goal in the 3-0 Scottish Cup defeat of Hibs made him the first Tynecastle striker since John Robertson to hit the 20-mark in a season. Proud as he was of the moment, he does not wish to solely be judged on his domestic prowess.

A move from Dundee United to Belgian side Beerschot may not have worked out but the 27-yearold still wishes to broaden his horizons and reasons that he has unfinished business in a Scotland shirt. Indeed, his international career had barely started when it came skidding to a halt back in 2019.

Back then his inclusion was very much a shot to nothing from national coach Steve Clarke, who selected him on his goalscoring form for Dundee United in the Championship.

His performance as a substitute was one of few bright sparks in a humbling 4-0 defeat to Russia in Moscow and three nights later, he scored on his first start against San Marino.

After subsequent Nations League cameos against Israel and Slovakia, he drifted out the picture. Desperate to overhaul his striking options, Clarke persuaded Lyndon Dykes and Che Adams to commit to Scotland, while the emergence of Kevin Nisbet saw Shankland (right) pipped for the third centre-forward berth in the Scotland squad for Euro 2020.

The omission may have hurt but he remained a devoted supporter, travelling to Wembley for the game against England. He is convinced Clarke would now find him far better prepared if he were to be handed a recall.

‘Mentally, I’m a bit more prepared for that kind of situation,’ he says. ‘When you go into that scenario while playing for Dundee United in the Championship it can be a bit daunting.

‘There are Premier League players in there, so it’s not easy to adjust. But the older you get, the more you learn how to deal with different pressures. And, although it was difficult when I went in, I did get a goal and a few caps.’

Used in an unorthodox role by Micky Mellon during United’s first season in the Premiership, Shankland banked on getting more chances to score following a transfer to Belgian side Beerschot but again found himself frequently played out of position.

‘I didn’t have any momentum in Belgium but I was playing right-back!’ he jokes. ‘It was more right midfield but I was having to defend, which was a different challenge.

‘It was just a whole different experience for me, even on a personal level.

‘I had to be patient initially to get in the team. And when I did get in we weren’t in a good position and I had to learn to deal with that. So further down the line I will be able to look back and say, ‘that helped me’. If people want to say it’s improved me, that’s fine but I don’t think I’m any different to the striker I was at United or even Ayr.’ Also in Shankland’s favour is the fact he was the man selected to deputise for club captain Craig Gordon after the keeper suffered his horrific double leg break. Yet if Clarke is minded to choose between Shankland or Nisbet when he names his squad for the first Euro 2024 qualifiers in March, the choice is not straightforward. Shankland’s achievement in reaching 20 so quickly should not be underestimated but the figure is inflated by an unusually high number of penalty conversions — his 11 spot-kicks accounting for more than half his total.

Nisbet only returned from injury after the World Cup but has immediately found his groove in front of goal for Hibs, netting eight times in as many games, just two short of Shankland’s tally from open play for the campaign.

After the collapse of his proposed transfer to Millwall on Friday, Nisbet’s future remains uncertain whereas Shankland appears to have arrived at a contented and settled point in his career.

‘I’m at a top-end Premiership club now and captain too, so I’m dealing with a lot of pressures, he continues. ‘I feel I’ve taken everything in my stride and achieved everything I set out to do.

‘The national team will take care of itself. I will be doing well to get back in the thoughts, so we will wait and see.

‘It was a privilege to be asked to stand in for Craigy and lead the team out. I thought about it for ten seconds and then I was like “aye!”.’

Shankland’s current manager Robbie Neilson is also the man who signed him for Dundee United from Ayr. Perhaps it’s the Bailieston upbringing they have in common but, regardless, there’s clearly something in the two’s relationship that clicks.

‘I just work hard in everything I do and I think he appreciates that,’ adds the player. ‘The gaffer puts everything into his job and when you have people who share that mindset, it’s easy to get on.’

Already at the striker’s magic milestone, will he now contemplate a 30-goal season?

‘I’ve got to look up the way,’ he declares. ‘I’ve got to 20 this early in the season, so I want to keep scoring. If I reach that number, great.’