Winter is approaching, and the clubs across the world are already weighing up moves to conclude their unfinished transfer work to meet their season objectives. Celtic, the Champions of Scotland, are facing a sterner test this time in their title defence and are expected to strengthen themselves next month to widen the gap at the top of Premiership standings. They lost star striker Moussa Dembele to Olympique Lyonnais on the summer deadline day and should look to bring in an out-and-out goalscorer to balance the books.
As reported by BBC Sport journalist Jim Spence, Celtic are among the host of clubs monitoring Ayr United sensation, Lawrence Shankland. The 23-year-old Scotsman is banging goals week in week out and is one of the key reasons why The Honest Men are on course to secure back to back promotions.
They’ve watched him for a while as have loads of others obviously. Worth a gamble in my view.
— Jim Spence (@JimSpenceSport) December 7, 2018
Failing to succeed at Aberdeen, Shankland completed a free transfer to Ayr who were competing in Scottish League One last season. The former Queen’s Park prodigy soon made his mark in the third tier and netted 26 goals in 30 league outings to ensure promotion to the Championship earlier this year.
The player, meanwhile, carried the momentum forward having notched 26 goals in 23 outings across all competitions this time around. He is the reason why Ayr are leading the Championship standings, and the free-scoring forward is understandably drawing the attention of many high-profile outfits at home as well as abroad.
Swansea City, currently competing in English second tier, are one of the clubs linked (Wales Online) with Shankland and the Hoops, therefore, must step up the chase to acquire this prospect. They currently have Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths as options to lead the line but require further reinforcement following Griffiths’ lack of form and ongoing fitness concerns.
Shankland’s biggest strength is his off the ball movement and ability to be in the right place at the right time while finding the back of the net. Although the challenge in Premiership would be different, the youngster should welcome the opportunity despite failing with the Dons in his first attempt.
He has rediscovered his touch and confidence in front of goal, and the sincere supervision of Brendan Rodgers would help him to adjust accordingly at the pinnacle of Scottish football.
