Rangers and Celtic both had scouts in attendance as Dundee United thrashed Morton at the weekend, according to reports in Scotland. It is believed that the Old Firm clubs were there to see Lawrence Shankland in action.
They would have been impressed by what they saw as the 24-year-old bagged a hat-trick in the 6-0 win on Saturday. The striker now has 15 goals for the season in all competitions. Fans on Twitter have been debating whether signing the Championship forward would be a good idea:
Who’s he better than? Who would he displace to get in our 1st team? Or even on the bench? He wouldn’t get near our team IMO
— Jon McCulley (@jonmcculley) 30 September 2019
I think he would be a decent signing knows where the goals are
— Gary Donaldson (@gazzadon46) 30 September 2019
Isn’t anywhere near good enough.
— Richy (@RJB__29) 30 September 2019
Big step up from Championship to Rangers but feel we should’ve taken him in for free & developed him into Rangers quality. If United get promoted next season & he continues to score goals for fun I think we’ll go for him
— Bear from the North (@Northernger) 30 September 2019
Even as a third choice option, we’ve got Greg Stewart who banged them in playing up front for Killie. Shankland’s 22/23 as well, too old for a prospect either.
— Richy (@RJB__29) 30 September 2019
Would he have came to us to be third choice striker?
— Ryan Kerr (@RyanKerr_1) 30 September 2019
Championship player nowhere near our level we’re trying to win leagues n cups
— Baldylocks (@Bigbarlow06) 30 September 2019
If we got him. He would be sent straight back out on loan I reckon.
— Gary Mclatchie (@Garyjoyce07) 30 September 2019
Shankland has been called up by Scotland manager Steve Clarke for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Russia and San Marino next month. Whether it is a ringing endorsement of his talent or an indictment of the lack of quality Scottish strikers, that is up for debate.
In any case, manager Steven Gerrard has said recently he would be keen to sign another striker. Whether Shankland is the one they are considering buying, it remains to be seen.