Darren Fletcher reacts to Celtic and Rangers target Shankland’s display

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Rangers reportedly want Lawrence Shankland – but face competition from Celtic.

Pundit Darren Fletcher has told Sky Sports (13/10, 19:02) that he thought some of Lawrence Shankland’s display for Scotland was ‘fantastic’.

After a hammering in Russia, Scotland were back on home soil on Sunday evening, hosting San Marino at Hampden Park in a game they were thoroughly expected to win.

Steve Clarke saw his side win comfortably, with Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn smashing a first-half hat-trick to have Scotland 3-0 up at the break.

Shankland marked his first start with a tap in to make it 4-0, before Stuart Findlay and Stuart Armstrong added to the scoreline to seal a 6-0 thumping.

Much of the attention was on striker Shankland, as having made his debut as a substitute against Russia, he was handed a start on Sunday, and produce a strong all-round display even outside of his goal.

The 24-year-old has been in scintillating form for Dundee United this season with 15 goals in 13 games, though some weren’t impressed with Scotland having to call up a player from the Scottish Championship.

Shankland has been attracting major interest though, with the Daily Record claiming that Celtic and Rangers both want him, with the latter maybe having an advantage given that Shankland grew up supporting the Gers.

On Sunday, ex-Scotland international Fletcher admitted he was impressed with Shankland, believing he has shown he can play at this level as he didn’t look out of place on the international stage, even if it was only San Marino, and added that his all-round game and unselfish play was ‘fantastic’.

“I was impressed with him all night, even though he only got one goal,” said Fletcher. “His movement was good, he held it up, he was patient, I think that he showed he can be at this level. He didn’t look out of place, and he thoroughly deserves his goal for his performance.”

“He showed good control of the ball, holding it up, waiting for support, good decisions all round, and as a striker, although he’s a goalscorer, he didn’t look like a selfish goalscorer. There were times where he was laying the ball off for his teammates, and it was fantastic to see,” he added.