Scottish Premiership title rivals Celtic and Rangers reportedly want to bring Lawrence Shankland to Parkhead or Ibrox in January.
Dundee United manager Robbie Neilson has sent a warning to Celtic and Rangers, telling the Evening Telegraph that in-demand striker Lawrence Shankland will not be going anywhere in January.
The 24-year-old has certainly hit the ground running since moving to Tannadice from Ayr over the summer, scoring 13 goals in just seven Scottish Championship games and 15 in 12 in all competitions.
As a result, Shankland has been handed his first ever call up to the Scotland national team. And, according to the Record, Celtic and Rangers are interested in handing him his big break too, sending scouts to watch the one-time St Mirren striker score a hat-trick in last week’s 6-0 thrashing of Morton.
But Neilson has made it clear that the Old Firm giants would be wasting their time with a January bid, despite claims from the Shields Gazette that Dundee United could be tempted to cash in for £2 million.
“There is not any pressure on us to sell Lawrence,” said the former MK Dons boss.
“He signed a three year contract, which is great for us. He is scoring goals for us and has got international recognition and we won’t be looking to do anything until at least the summer.”
Neilson did admit that Shankland will have to play top-flight football sooner rather than later if he is to progress in his career, and joining a club like Celtic or Rangers would certainly represent a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a striker who should thrive alongside the likes of Ryan Kent or James Forrest.
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