Georgia 2-2 Scotland: Should Lawrence Shankland be on the plane to Germany next summer?
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'Shankland offers something different for Clarke'
On Monday, Lawrence Shankland was challenged by Scotland assistant manager John Carver to use his late Scotland call-up to stake his claim for a seat on the plane to Germany next summer.
"This is an extra opportunity for him over the next week because he didn't expect to be here," Carver said.
Three days later, with the Dinamo Arena clock ticking towards the 85th minute, the Hearts captain would have been doubting whether he was going to be able to grasp that chance in Tbilisi.
But seven minutes later, the 28-year-old was wheeling away in front of an away end in bedlam after nodding in a stoppage-time leveller to rescue a point for Scotland in their European Championship qualifier in Georgia.
"I'm grateful to get that goal," said Shankland, adding that he was thankful "it wasn't pivotal" given the Scots have already qualified for next summer's finals.
However, the Hearts striker will be hoping it is decisive in earning him a spot in Steve Clarke's Euro 2024 squad.
'He always gives you a chance of scoring'
"I really like Shankland," former Scotland and current St Johnstone boss Craig Levein said on Sportsound. "You look at him, he's not particularly quick - at international level that's quite an important part.
"But he's just a goalscorer, isn't he? You put that ball in the penalty box, he will use his body so well and he's strong. You've always got a chance of scoring."
Given Shankland needed just three touches in the Georgia box to get his goal, that only highlights Levein's observation.
Those three touches matched the tally of Lyndon Dykes, who spent 85 minutes on the pitch in comparison with Shankland's 13.
The Queens Park Rangers forward also failed to convert with two close-range headers that fell his way, the first of which was glanced past the far post before forcing the keeper into a sharp save after the break.
Shankland, though, made sure his found the net.
"Credit to the wee man, it's a finish I've seen him do many a time," Scotland keeper Zander Clark said of his Hearts team-mate. "He's been in good form for our club, so I'm delighted to see him come on and get the goal to get us a point."
Shankland's patience pays off
Shankland has had to be patient. His only other Scotland goal came in his second cap against San Marino back in October 2019.
Since then, the striker has racked up over 60 club goals - across spells with Dundee United, Beerschot in Belgium, and Hearts - but has earned just a further four caps, none of which have been starts.
He was left out of Clarke's past two squads despite his goalscoring outweighing the strikers who took his place, and was only drafted into the current set-up after Southampton striker Che Adams pulled out.
Granted, the levels of the leagues in question come into this debate but, since the start of last season, Dykes has netted nine times, Adams is on 13 and Luton's Jacob Brown has nine.
Shankland, meanwhile, is sitting on 38, six of which have come in his past six matches for club and country after an eight-game drought.
Carver called on the Hearts man to take inspiration from former Hibernian centre-back Ryan Porteous, who "has never looked back" since making an unexpected debut in a crucial Nations League draw with Ukraine in Poland.
With a memorable qualifying campaign coming to an end against Norway at Hampden on Sunday, Shankland will surely have another chance to prove that his Tbilisi moment can be his catalyst, just as Porteous did in Krakow.
Scotland fans back Shankland
We asked you for your thoughts on Scotland's strikers and most think Shankland deserves to start against Norway on Sunday, but there are a few dissenters.
Cortalini: I don't get Clarke and his use of Dykes. QPR are bottom of the Championship. He gives him 85 minutes and, in a heartbeat, Shankland scores.
Red: Shankland must be in squad for next year.
Scottish: Well done Lawrence - from a Hibby.
Rob Rutherford: Shankland will score more goals than Dykes ever will.
Mybackpages: Shankland looks like a proper number nine and he's in great form right now. I'd love to see him get a full 90 minutes against Norway.
GR1874: Shankland is a proper nine. He scores goals. We don't have another like him. He should be playing.
Pleasing Ton: Start with Shankland on Sunday and see how he gets on. He has been a stand out in the Scottish scene for the last six weeks; great captain, can play as a 10 or a centre forward. He links play and can score. It will be a great test for the lad, but he deserves the chance at Hampden. Dykes looks overweight and devoid of confidence, plus we won't go far relying on midfielders scoring all the time.
Joe King: If Scotland go into the Euros with Dykes first-choice striker, we haven't got a scooby's. Shankland's goal equals Dykes' scoring record for the entire season for club and country! He is not even Championship level, let alone international level. Nice guy, but there must be so many former academy players who didn't make it wondering how the hell he got the gig!
Wear Slippers In Bed: Shankland? I'd rather look at Armitage Shanks.
JetCeltic6967: Even when Adams is fit, I'd always put Shankland ahead of him.
George: I'd like to see Dykes and Shankland playing as a front two.
Baker: Nisbet fit then the big slow Shankland lump won't be in it. He makes McBurnie look like Pele.
John Connor: Shankland's pony?
Rob Turner: Shankland should've started. Much better than Dykes.
What do you think?
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