Lawrence Shankland wants to make sure his Scotland goal in the 6-0 thrashing of San Marino is the first of many.
After his substitute appearance against Russia, the Dundee United striker was given a start at Hampden Park last night.
In both matches Shankland has looked at home as an international footballer and he is determined to remain part of Steve Clarke’s plans as the Euro 2020 qualifiers come to an end.
The Tannadice man scored in the second half when he tucked away a Scott McTominay shot that came back off the crossbar.
It was the sort of number nine’s finish United fans, and Ayr supporters before that, are used to seeing week in, week out.
“I followed up the shot because you need to anticipate it not going in,” said Shankland.
“Scotty’s had a great strike. It’s bounced off the bar and luckily I was in the right place to tuck it away. I’ll take it all day.
“The keeper’s made a great save from me early in the game. I think Scotty got in the way of one of my other shots and I was starting to think it was going to be one of those nights.
“Thankfully, I got my goal in the end.”
Asked whether this week has been one of the best of his life, Shankland answered: “Definitely.
“Just being called up for the national team was great. Then the other night against Russia I came on much earlier than anticipated.
“Obviously the result was disappointing but it was still a great experience for me to play in a stadium like that in front of a massive crowd.
“And I’m delighted with tonight.
“I knew I would get chances. San Marino let teams have the ball and I knew the boys would create things for me.
“It wasn’t the prettiest goal I’ve ever scored but I’ll take it.
“If I didn’t score tonight people would have been saying: ‘He’s no good’. The fact that it was San Marino was something I ignored and thankfully I scored anyway.”
Shankland seemed to pause for thought before agreeing to swap his shirt at the end of the contest.
He said: “We’d worn two because it was soaking! The big boy asked me so I had to swap it.”
It had crossed his mind that the match was going to be called off.
“When we came out after half-time it was a bit stodgy on the left side,” he said.
“It wasn’t great and the ball was stopping. I was thinking: ‘Surely not’.
“I certainly wasn’t wanting it called off after I scored. Mind you, I think McGinn would have been more spewing because it was his first hat-trick. He was panicking a bit!”
Shankland hopes that he has shown he belongs at this level and he’ll be looking to stay on the goal trail with United to secure another call-up.
“I wasn’t going to approach it as if I shouldn’t be here,” he said. “I had to get involved and that’s what I’ve done.
“I’ve been playing with great players and that can only make you better.
“I want to be involved in every squad going now. I’m not getting carried away though. I’ll go back to my club and keep doing what I can and hopefully keep up the form that got me in this squad.
“It’s Queen of the South on Saturday down the road on their astro pitch. It might not be the most glamorous of fixtures but I’ll be approaching it professionally and trying to help my team get a win.”
