Mark Smith

Mon 1 June 2026 7:40, UK

Lawrence Shankland is flying high right now after signing for Rangers.

Shankland cut short his summer holiday to return to Ibrox and sign for his boyhood club, with his contract at Hearts allowing him to move for nothing.

Two goals at Hampden Park followed that on Saturday, as Scotland dispatched Curacao 4-1, with Findlay Curtis also scoring his first senior international goal.

Scotland left for America on Sunday, and many expect Rangers to be heavily represented in the Tartan Army, with Shankland more than in contention.

Nobody knows what Steve Clarke will do, though, especially given his decision to call up Tyler Fletcher over the likes of Connor Barron.

Lawrence Shankland must start for Scotland

Despite Shankland’s form and summer enjoyment, he’s still not guaranteed to start over the likes of Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes.

Keith Jackson explained that and more in his latest column, despite admitting that his tail is up and looks like a certain starter to many.

Writing in the Daily Record, the opinionated columnist wasn’t entirely convinced that everything will go as straightforwardly as thought.

“Shankland, of course, goes into this tournament having suffered the pain of a title loss in excruciating circumstances but also on the back of achieving a lifelong ambition by signing for Rangers,” Jackson said.

“His tail is up, and his eye is in. He looks every inch a certain starter for game one.

“And yet, this is Steve Clarke’s Scotland, so perhaps it’s better to hold fire for the time being.”

How has Lawrence Shankland performed for Scotland?

Let’s be honest, if someone likes Dykes starts once again at a major tournament, it shows how far back Clarke has gone.

Given that Adams has been scoring in Serie A with Torino, his inclusion wouldn’t be dreadful, but Dykes had to move to Charlton last season even to play.

Many still can’t believe he was selected over Oli McBurnie for the World Cup, so Shankland must be streets ahead of him.

With six goals in 19 caps, it doesn’t read incredibly for Shankland, but his strike against Denmark in that qualifier will live long in the memory.

Three of those goals have come in his last 103 minutes of action for Scotland, though, and the striker is heading to North America in his prime and off the back of signing for Rangers.

There is nobody better to lead the line right now, and Clarke has to realise that quickly.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.