After a slow start to life in the Scottish football top flight, Dundee United striker Lawrence Shankland is showing the kind of form that saw him bag plenty of goals in the Scottish Champions.
Shankland has scored seven goals this season, with three coming in the last two games. Coincidentally, they are the two games United have won after an eight match run without a win.
When the striker performs, the team performs
That shows just how important the 25-year-old is to Dundee United. Arguably it can be said that when he performs, Dundee United perform.
Dundee United’s Lawrence Shankland celebrates scoring a goal with teammates (Photo by Ross Parker/SNS Group via Getty Images)
As a result, Shankland will likely be the key to United’s bid to finish in the top six this season. As it stands, the Tannadice club currently sit in sixth place in the Premiership. One point ahead of seventh placed St Mirren. However, the Paisley side have two games in hand.
What could also be interesting from a United perspective is that the team Shankland scored twice against at the weekend, Livingston, are five points ahead of the Tannadice side, with a game in hand.
Manager will have designs on catching fifth placed side
However, after defeating them so comfortably, you have to think that United manager Micky Mellon will have designs on catching Livingston.
Lawrence Shankland in action against Rangers (Photo by Alan Harvey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Only time will tell if that happens. What doesn’t seem to be in question though is that Shankland will be key for United if they are to reach the top six.
Their quest will continue with what looks to be a very difficult trip to Ibrox to face Rangers on Sunday. However, if Shankland can keep his current level of form going, then United will fancy getting a result in Glasgow.