Scotland at Euro 2024: Lawrence Shankland showing smile – Clarke

Lawrence Shankland’s persistence is paying off with the Scotland striker finding his smile as part of the national team, says Steve Clarke.

The Hearts captain cut a frustrated figure at Hampden Park on Friday after spurning a couple of half-chances, following on for a quiet outing against Gibraltar earlier in the week.

But his second-half header seemed to lift the weight off Shankland’s shoulders, with Clarke praising his desire to grab goals even when things aren’t going his way.

“He give me a big smile when he came off,” the Scotland boss said. “I think he was happy.

“That’s important. Listen, strikers live on goals. Lawrence was a little bit frustrated, I think, after the Gibraltar game because any chances that fell didn’t fall to him.

“But he kept getting in there and eventually got his head on one and a good finish.”