The £75 million star is defeated by the Rangers target, who John McGinn calls “outstanding.”
Even Virgil van Dijk and Ronald Koeman were shocked that Scotland failed to score in a 4-0 loss that was not nearly as lopsided as the final score indicates.
Indeed, in the last 20 minutes, the Netherlands really let free, scoring goals two, three, and four in the closing moments. However, up until that point, it was a very equal match between two countries getting ready for the approaching European Championships.
The Oranje coach, Koeman, acknowledges that the Amsterdam scoreline favored the hosts. Conversely, Steve Clarke, the former Kilmarnock manager, is still unable to find a solution to Scotland’s striker problems.
Does Clarke choose Che Adams’s gait and pace of work? The skills of Lyndon Dykes as a target man? Or maybe Lawrence Shankland’s unadulterated talent to score goals?
In the capital of the Netherlands, the latter was chosen.Although the alleged Rangers target’s performance will be remembered for that miss—clipping the bar when the goal was right in front of him—his Scotland teammate John McGinn is adamant that the “outstanding” center-forward’s performance against the best defender on the planet should not be overshadowed by an incredibly unusual mistake.
Scotland’s Rangers target had a tough night.
Shanks, in McGinn’s opinion, was exceptional, the Daily Record is told. “Playing against one of the best defenders in the world, Virgil Van Dijk of Liverpool, is not an easy task.”
However, he was incredibly powerful; he held it up, laid it off, and effectively connected the play. He was a useful outfield player for us, and I believe he’ll be content.
With his contract at Hearts about to expire and new terms unlikely to be negotiated, Shankland—who has been linked to Rangers, Celtic, and several other teams south of the border—has scored 27 goals in yet another successful season at the club level.
For Scotland, however, that number is a pitiful two. The star player for Aston Villa, McGinn, is certain that Shankland is more than just a goal scorer, citing his back-to-goal ability as equally valuable for a national squad that could give up possession to elite opponents.
For Euro 2024, who will be Steve Clarke’s striking partner?
“When you’re a player like Shanks, the goals will come,” McGinn continues. And we’re pleased with his performance. The opportunities come and go, and the next one will be behind the scenes.
Hearts might lose Shankland this summer for as little as £3 million, rumour has it that his contract expires in 2025.
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