Dundee United’s striker Lawrence Shankland has reportedly drawn interest from Glaswegian giants Rangers and Celtic. The striker recently smashed a hattrick, and the Hoops’ scouts were present in action to see him. The Scotsman has now managed 15 goals already in the EFL Championship.
The Shields Gazette reports that the Scottish Championship outfit has put a price tag of £2m on Shankland who has also drawn interest from League One outfit Sunderland. The player has been prolific in the Scottish third and second tier with Ayr United and Dundee United respectively. However, the fact that he is yet to be tested in the top flight might mean that Celtic could be sceptical about paying that kind of fee for the 24-year-old forward.
Does Celtic need strikers?
Lennon has currently got three strikers in Odsonne Edouard, Vakoun Issouf Byo and Leigh Griffiths. Edouard has been outstanding so far after his move from PSG. However, he will continue to draw interest from some of the top leagues given his performances.
Issouf Bayo is still getting used to the team dynamics as he hasn’t featured much since arriving in January this year. As for Griffiths, it remains to be seen whether he would be able to find some form up top. The player took some time off from football last season because of personal reasons, and he is yet to hit the ground running so far as he missed a few games due to injury. Therefore, we think that Celtic can benefit from recruiting a striker.
Should Lennon wait before deciding to pay £2m?
Shankland scored a whopping 61 goals and provided 24 assists in 73 appearances for Ayr United. The striker was reportedly close to moving (Daily Record) to Rangers. However, he went on to join Dundee United on a free transfer this summer. Maybe this summer was Celtic’s chance to pick him up on a free transfer and probably send him away on loan so that he could play regularly. Shankland is known for his impressive pace and lethal finishing.
Celtic are known to draw a hard bargain in the transfer market, and we don’t see them paying £2m for Shankland who is yet to be tested in the top flight. Dundee United will be one of the favourites to move to the top tier, and maybe the Hoops should see how he goes about his business in the Premiership before deciding to pay on a large transfer sum for him.
