Return of top scorer Lawrence Shankland against Rangers a boost for Dundee United

Striker withdrew from Scotland squad but has recovered from ankle injury

Dundee United striker Lawrence Shankland. Picture: SNS

Dundee United striker Lawrence Shankland is set to feature for the first time since the opening day of the season in tomorrow’s Premiership clash with Rangers.

The 25 year-old, who withdrew from the Scotland squad ahead of the Nations League doubleheader against Israel and Czech Republic, has been troubled by an ankle injury.

Tannadice manager Micky Mellon, already accustomed to being quizzed about Shankland’s fitness as well as his future amid on-going transfer speculation, brought the subject of the player up himself yesterday.

“Are you ready for this one? Shankland’s fit. And no one has tried to buy him this week,” he said.

“If anyone loses their goalscorer you often hear them using it as an excuse. We have not whinged about it. We believe we have good players to keep the thing moving forward anyway.

“But it is always good to get good players back,” he added.

Asked if Shankland could start at Ibrox, Mellon said: “We will weigh it up, in terms of long-term and short-term. He will go to Ibrox and you’ll know from what I’ve probably already made out that he’ll play some part in the game.”

The striker scored 24 times last season to help earn United promotion from the Championship but has still to score his first top-flight goal.

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