Lawrence Shankland’s left foot shot from just outside the Dundee penalty box broke the deadlock and provided the platform for a convincing 4-0 victory over the Tayside team in the William Hill Premiership on Sunday.
The sweet strike was the Glasgow-born forward’s tenth goal in a highly-profitable, early-season and also reinforced Shankland’s credentials leading to his recall to the Scotland squad for the crunch Group C World Cup clashes in Greece and against Denmark at Hampden later this month.
Shankland is now the leading marksman in the top flight this term and he has formed a fine on-field relationship with newcomers, Claudio Braga and Alexandros Kyziridis.
Steve Clarke, Scotland’s head coach, unveiled the squad earlier this week and justified Shankland’s recall when he declared: “If you need goals, Lawrence is your man.”
The 30-year old last featured for the National team in the Nations League victory over Poland 12 months ago, but returns along with defenders Ross McCrorie and Josh Doig as Scotland seek to reach the World Cup Finals for the first time since 1998.
And the call-up will be a boost for the striker who has been pivotal as the Men in Maroon have moved to the top of the 12-strong William Hill Premiership.
Evergreen Hearts goalkeeper, Craig Gordon, is also included in the Scotland squad and The Jambos are next on duty on Sunday when Dundee United visit Tynecastle defending their 11-game unbeaten league run.
They have 29 points from nine wins and two draws while seventh-placed Dundee United have 13 points from ten games. Jim Goodwin’s men have scored 17 goals and leaked 16 and they disappointed in a 2-0 defeat at Fife Park to Motherwell on October 29.
IN FOCUS: Lawrence Shankland in action. Picture Ian Jacobs
