According to a recent report by BBC Scotland, Dundee United sporting director Tony Ashgar has admitted that they will have to consider any incoming bids for the services of prolific striker Lawrence Shankland during the upcoming summer window, depending on the financial situation at that point. A report by the Daily Record suggested late last year that both Premiership giants Celtic and Rangers had scouts watching the Scottish forward. Ibrox scout Billy McLaren was reportedly at Tannadice as Dundee United thrashed Morton in September.
The fact that Dundee United will look at any Lawrence Shankland bids will come as massive news to Gerrard. On this regard, sporting director Tony Ashgar said, “If bids come in, we’ll have to look at them, the situation financially, whether it’s going to help the club long term. [These are] strange times, but ultimately we definitely want to hold on to him. It will be interesting how the market is going to play. Everyone says there will be no transfer signings; I don’t see that. Clubs are always going to try to enhance their squad and sign players.”
How Has Lawrence Shankland Done In The Championship This Season?
The forward has been nothing short of a sensation upfront for Dundee United this season, as he’d been firing in goals at an almost inhuman rate before the campaign was brought to a halt. The Scot’s exploits though, were enough to ensure that his club finished well clear atop the final Championship table. The separation between them and Inverness in 2nd place was a whopping 14 points, and a lot of the credit for that must fall onto Shankland’s shoulders.
At just 24-years-old, the former Aberdeen man has managed to take the Scottish second division by storm this season. His 26 league outings for the club have yielded 24 goals and two assists, which meant that he averaged at least a telling goal contribution every time he stepped onto the pitch.
Furthermore, the Scot even scored twice in two SFA Cup fixtures as well. Despite being on the Aberdeen books for the longest time, the striker only ever made 17 appearances for the Premiership side, as they will now be regretting letting their prodigious forward leave prematurely.
Can Shankland Improve Rangers’ Current Strike Situation?
The Gers’ main striking option is undoubtedly Colombian forward Alfredo Morelos. With all the question marks surrounding whether or not he’ll be at the Ibrox next season, it would be wise on Gerrard’s part to find an alternative. At 24, Shankland has already proven that he’s capable of performing in the physically draining nature of Scottish league football. The Dundee United man tends to time his runs into space to perfection, and could actually turn out to be a surprising upgrade on Morelos this summer.
Dundee United Will Look At Rangers’ Lawrence Shankland Bids: Should They Reignite Their Former Interest?
The Gers will be heading into next season hoping to put an end to Celtic’s nine-year dominance in the title race, by not permitting them to secure a tenth one quite as easily. To this end, Gerrard is likely to need to sign a couple more players in the summer.
While the acquisition of Ianis Hagi will go a long way in the attacking department, the addition of a quality striker could be what they need to tip the title scales in their favour finally. Shankland has the scoring rate and overall quality required to excel at the highest level, and Gerrard will do well to sign him up in the summer.
