Redmatchday | Lawrence Shankland

Young Dons feature

He is a boy who has already had to live in a man’s world.

This summer Aberdeen completed the sign of the Queens Park striker who certainly does not look like an 18 year old, both physically and in terms of his high level of maturity, vital for a young man who looks to have a very bright future ahead of him.

“Last year whilst I was playing for Queens Park, I worked during the day in a factory. I was working in the McAlpine factory in Hillington, making items for plumbing. It was a good experience, it helped me really appreciate that being a footballer really is the best job in the world.

“I still remember my first morning at Pittodrie. We were straight into it with some long runs and then back out in the afternoon. So it was a nice welcome to professional football for me, but I enjoyed it! I had met a few of the U20 boys before during some of the Scotland camps, so I was able to settle in quite quickly and I really enjoy living in the city.

“I was with Queens Park for five years. I joined them when I was 13 and then made my debut when I was 16 and then played last season when I was 17. I made my debut against Elgin at Hampden – what a great place to make your debut! With Rangers playing in the league last season, I got to experience playing in front of a big crowd at Hampden and also playing on TV. That was all good for my development.

“Queens Park has an excellent youth system with a lot of good coaches and I would like to thank everyone who worked with me over the years. One of my coaches was the current manager Gardner Speirs who I believe used to be assistant manager here.

“They have brought through quite a number of boys, with another four going into the first team squad this season after three of us moved on. Although they are an amateur club, they are very professional in the way they are set up. They are a very good club and I really enjoyed my time there.

“Andy Robertson was there and now he’s joined Dundee United and is doing really well. He won the SPFL Player of the Month Award recently and also has been involved with the Scotland U21s. Aidan Connolly also went to Dundee United and is doing well. He scored a good goal against us when the U20 sides met recently. All three of us played for the Queens Park first team last year.

“It was at the end of the season when Gardner Speirs called me in and said Aberdeen were interested in me. At that stage he didn’t know if there was anything concrete in it but then I found out the manager was interested. As soon as I spoke to him, I knew I wanted to come here and move onto the next stage of my career.

“The Third Division was certainly not a little boys league! You get a lot of kicks and bruises, but I learned a lot from the experience. It made me a lot wiser and a better player. It was good for me and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. There are a lot of good young players in the division that I played against. I think there will be more players like myself who move up through the leagues in the future.

“It has been a huge learning curve for me since I joined Aberdeen. It is still quite surreal at times, training alongside players like Russell and Barry, players I’ve seen on TV for years. I really respect them and what they have achieved in their careers”.

Lawrence has been hugely impressive so far for the U20s this season. He is a striker who can hold the ball up and he works extremely well as the side’s target man. Most importantly for any striker though, he is a natural finisher. If you need evidence, go and watch the U20 games on RedTV.

“It took the boys a bit of time to get used to me. They did not know the type of runs that I make. I am not the most athletic player who will run channels all day, I’m more of a target man. With players like Craig Murray and Jamie Masson round about me who make good runs, it works well for us.

“There have been quite a few changes to the side each week but that is just part of the game. You have to adapt to whoever you are playing with. Players who are not playing for the first team need to play for the U20s to get some game time and you can learn from them.

“After a slow start, I have scored something nine goals in my last eight games. It took me a little while to get used to being a full time professional player but I am finding my game now. I am getting there. I had to be patient at first and allow myself to get up to speed. It has all come together. I am starting to get fitter and I feel stronger on and off the ball.

“I have not really set myself any targets this season. I just want to keep progressing and score goals for the U20s. I scored 15 goals last season and finished up our top goalscorer so I am confident I can score goals for Aberdeen. My best goal for Queens Park was against Partick Thistle in a Ramsden Cup game in my first start, a 30 yarder at Hampden – that was a great feeling! There is nothing better than scoring. Any goal that hits the net is pleasing, I’ll take a tap in from two yards. I have got myself a few assists this season as well. It is good to set up goals as well and an important part of my game. Commendably modest, when asked what areas of his game he still needs to work on, Lawrence replies, “All of them! You need to keep working all the time to be at the top your game.”

That sums up his impressive and infectious attitude.

“I think the one area of my game that has improved most is my pace. I have spent quite a bit of time doing work with our Sport Scientist Graham Kirk and I feel that work has been very beneficial. We have done a lot of short, sharp stuff. I am feeling sharper. I feel I am getting to the ball before defenders more now. He passes on a lot of good advice and helps with what I should be eating etc.

“Scott Vernon has given me a lot of help since I came in too, but all the boys have been great with me and pass on advice during the training matches. When the first team guys play for the U20s I learn a lot from their experience. Barry Robson, his communication and organisation is very impressive. It is just simple things he tells you but it makes your game so much easier. Like the rest of the U20s my aim is to join them one day and play for the first team but I know how hard I have to work to get there.

“The step up from the 20s to the first team does seem quite a big one. The game is more intense and the pace of the game is quicker. I was on the bench for the game against Partick Thistle at Pittodrie and I have also travelled with the team to a number of the away games. That has been a great experience for me. It is good to see how it all works and to be in and around the squad, especially when they are winning. Seeing the away support we have is incredible. It makes you realise just how big a club this is.

“It would be great if the next time I go back to Hampden was in a Cup Final with Aberdeen one day!”