Scotland at Euro 2024: Lawrence Shankland, from reject to Munich

A Covid-impacted first season in the Premiership was far from stellar, but that was more a result of United’s wider failings than Shankland’s shortcomings.

As a result, it was unsurprising when talk about his next move surfaced, and he eventually signed for Belgian side Beerschot.

“It was a wee bit messy at times,” Shankland said of his stint abroad. “They had three changes of manager.

“The club just found themselves in a difficult period and I was there at the wrong time.”

So, it was time to come home. And since he has, Shankland has not looked back.

Fifty-nine goals in two seasons at Hearts has emphasised his status as the most clinical striker in Scottish football.

His influence does not just come in goals either, with Shankland setting standards after being made captain this term as the Edinburgh side cruised to a third-place finish.

It is this form that turned the discussion around the striker from ‘should Shankland to be on the plane?’ to ‘should Shankland start against Germany?’

In the absence of the injured Lyndon Dykes, it seems Clarke has a toss-up between the Hearts striker and Southampton forward Che Adams for the number nine short in Munich against Germany.

In the view of McCall – the man Shankland credits for restoring his faltering career – the striker will find a way to make his mark in at least one of the cities and one of the opponents.

“He’ll start at least one of the games,” he said. “Leading the line against Germany wouldn’t faze him, but he’ll get his opportunity at some point.

“And when he does, I wouldn’t be surprised one bit if he scores. He’s Lawrence Shankland.”