Lawrence Shankland’s ‘unplayable’ form has one Hearts team-mate likening the Celtic transfer market to a £100 million-rated Premier League star in Brentford’s Ivan Toney.
It was certainly a goal Toney would have been proud of, Lawrence Shankland taking down a long, raking Frankie Kent pass, skipping past a defender with a touch of Bergkamp-esque balletically before finishing ruthlessly and coolly past an onrushing St Johnstone goalkeeper.
Lawrence Shankland’s 50th strike in Hearts’ colours – and his 22nd of a stunning season – certainly gave Kent a feeling of deja vu, the Tynecastle defender having played alongside the £100 million-rated England international at Peterborough United and now sharing a dressing room with arguably the most lethal marksman in Scotland.
Celtic face Premier League battle for Lawrence Shankland
“I don’t know where we’d be without him. Ivan was unreal at Peterborough. He’s the best I’ve played alongside. I see similarities between (him and Shankland),” Kent tells the Daily Record.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play with some really good strikers. They have that ruthless streak and Lawrence definitely has that. All his goals come from nothing and leave you thinking: ‘Wow, how has he done that’?
“Ivan would do that at Peterborough.”
HITC Football understands that Celtic are big fans of Shankland, and considered a move in January before opting for the more affordable option that was Adam Idah on loan from Norwich City. There is also interest from countless clubs south of the border, including Premier League quartet Everton, Crystal Palace, Burnley and Sheffield United.
And while there will be some who question whether Shankland can make the step up from Scottish football to the English top flight, it should not be forgotten that Toney was plying his trade against Southend United, AFC Wimbledon and Tranmere Rovers as recently as 2020.
Scotland’s answer to Ivan Toney?
“(Toney and Shankland) both do things off the cuff,” Kent adds.
“Lawrence uses his body so well. He’s strong. He’s got all the basic stuff. Then, he’ll wriggle out of a situation and do stuff that leaves you asking how created the space.”
“He’s brilliant and he’s our main man. We know if we stay in a game, Lawrence will find something special for us. He’s been unplayable.”
Celtic are also admirers of Aberdeen’s Bojan Miovski. He too has broken the 20-goal barrier this term, and admitted last week that he is flattered to have caught the eye of the champions.
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