Dunfermline’s new loan striker Lawrence Shankland can follow in the footsteps of his friend Andrew Robertson and make a real name for himself.
Full-back Robertson has been a revelation at Dundee United since making the switch from Queen’s Park in the summer and has attracted the attention of several big name clubs in the January transfer window.
Now 18-year-old Shankland, who played alongside Robertson at Queen’s Park before being snapped up by Aberdeen, has been given a similar chance to shine after the Dons decided to loan him to Dunfermline until the end of the season.
“Queen’s Park are quite a well-known club for bringing players through. There have been quite a few over the years who have got good moves, so luckily I was part of the three (with Robertson and Aidan Connolly) who got a move to a bigger stage,” he told Courier Sport.
“Seeing how well Andrew Robertson has done, it does inspire you. He’s a year older than me, so it makes me more confident about next year and what I can achieve.
“He’s gone in there at United and took his chance and it’s paid off, so hopefully it can pay off for me. You see some of the clubs he’s been linked with and it’s just crazy.
“He was on expenses last year and now there are teams from the Premier League down in England wanting to sign him, so fair play to him. He’s done brilliantly.
“I text him a lot and he’s saying he’s enjoying it at Dundee United, although I wouldn’t speak to him about the transfer talk that’s personal. But he’s enjoying his football and it’s good to see.
“Hopefully I can score a few goals for Dunfermline and see what the gaffer thinks of it.
“I think they got in contact with the gaffer (Derek McInnes) and the gaffer told me last week that he was interested in sending me out because it would be a good experience. I was interested in it as well so I jumped at the chance.”
If there was any doubt in Shankland’s mind about going, Dons assistant Tony Docherty who played with Dunfermline as a youth put him right.
“He said it was a well-run club, it was very professional, and that made me want it more,” he continued.
“It’s a really strong squad at Aberdeen and it’s a big squad with a lot of experienced players. Playing alongside the likes of Barry Robson, who was an international and has played in the Champions League, you do learn a lot.
“And the gaffer is obviously really experienced as well so I’m really enjoying it,” he added.
“But I’m still only young and hopefully if I can score a few goals for Dunfermline it will stand me in good stead to get in to the first team at Aberdeen.
“You look at the likes of Stevie May and he’s been at a few clubs and is in the first team at St Johnstone, so it can only be good coming here.
“The club are doing really well and the play-offs is obviously a big thing, so I just hope I can help the club get there.
“It helps having something to aim for the 20s is always good to play in but it’s always better when you come into a division and playing against men in front of supporters.
Pars fans will be hoping to get their first glimpse of Shankland at home to Stranraer and the talented teenager hopes they like what they see.
“I’d describe myself as a target man,” he added.
“I’m not the quickest but I’m decent at holding the ball up and I’m alright at putting the ball in the net as well.
“Hopefully I can do that again and the first target is to get in the team. Hopefully I can get that and take it from there and score a few goals.”