According to the latest reports from the Daily Record, Celtic are keeping tabs on Dundee United’s striker Lawrence Shankland. It is believed that club’s talent spotter Tosh McKinlay was present in attendance to watch him in action against Greenock Morton in the Championship. Shankland bagged a hattrick in the game and managed to fire his side to the top of the league table in the second tier of Scotland. Along with the Hoops, Rangers scouts were also present in attendance to see him from close quarters.
It is not the first time that the two Scottish heavyweights have been linked with Shankland. The striker’s name has been in the limelight when he was playing for Ayr United as well. Last season, he bagged 34 goals in all competitions for them and provided with eight assists. Dundee were able to get his signature after his contract expired. He has seemingly continued with his scoring spree even at his new club as he has already got ten goals to his name this season.
There is no doubt that top-flight clubs would be keeping an eye on the rise of Shankland and a move to Celtic could turn out to be a big step for him.
Does Celtic need strikers?
Neil Lennon has currently got three strikers to choose from at Celtic Park. Odsonne Edouard is the obvious first choice option. Apart from that, he can call on the services of Vakoun Issouf Bayo and Leigh Griffiths. The latter two might be considered as a significant step down in quality from Edouard, so maybe Lennon would want to add more quality to his frontline.
Issouf Bayo and Griffiths though might need some game time to get back to their best. Griffiths, who has been a prolific scorer for Celtic in the past, is on a downward trajectory and has struggled with injuries so far. Last season, the striker took some time off football because of personal reasons.
The jury is still out on whether he can get back to his former best. Therefore we think that bringing in another striker won’t be a bad idea. Moreover, Edouard’s prolific form would mean that he could attract interest from some of the top leagues in the world. So Lennon might have to keep an eye on his replacement.
Shankland is a natural scorer in and around the opposition penalty box and has got impressive pace which allows him to make runs from the shoulders of the defenders. The way he has been going about his business over the past few years, it won’t be surprising to see the likes of Celtic or Rangers recruit Shankland.
