Scotland U21s | Lawrence Interview

Lawrence Shankland

It is international week and the Scotland U21s are in town which means a return to the Granite City for our very own Lawrence Shankland. The Aberdeen striker signed a season-long deal with St Mirren in August and this will be the first time he has been back. www.afc.co.uk spoke to him at Scotland’s training base on Monday ahead of Scotland’s games at Pittodrie against France on Saturday and Iceland on Tuesday.

“It was a bit weird travelling up on the Scotland team bus knowing that I was not going to Aberdeen training or going to my flat! It is nice to be back though.”

Two years ago Lawrence was working in a plumbing factory in Hillington whilst playing part-time with Queens Park. Could he believe then that he would one day be playing international football?

“It was not something I really thought much about. Like any player it is your dream to play for your country. I was just hopeful that one day I would get the opportunity to play full-time football which I thankfully did.

“Everything seems to have happened very quickly for me over the past couple of years.

“I made my Scotland debut against Hungary in March and scored two goals in the last ten minutes. That was a nice way to start my international career and has given me something to build on. It would be wonderful to score for my country on my home ground.

“This is the third squad I have been involved in. I now know all the boys, it is pretty much the same group of players so it is a settled squad. We also all know each other from playing against one another when we were growing up. They are all good boys.”

Ricky Sbragia's side opened their qualification campaign with a 2-1 win over Northern Ireland in Lurgan. In their group, as well as Northern Ireland again at home, they will face the Ukraine, Macedonia, France and Iceland. Poland will host the 2017 finals with places available for the nine group winners and play-offs going to the best four runners-up. The under-21 team has not qualified for a finals tournament since the late 1990s. Scotland reached the playoff round for the 2004 and 2011 tournaments, but lost to Croatia and Iceland respectively.

So can Scotland make it this time?

“There is a lot of talent in the squad.

“We could not train on Monday because so many of the boys had played first team football over the weekend and needed a recovery session. That is good that so many guys are getting a game on a regular basis. It means we have a lot of experience in the group. There are boys playing down south, some up here in different leagues, all technically very good players. We know how good a squad we have got and how many good players we have so we are quietly confident we can do well in this qualifying campaign.

“However all the teams in our group will provide tough opposition. You cannot underestimate any one of them. We are playing international football and they will all have decent squads. We know that France will be a very tough game.

“As a player you want to test yourself against the very best players. Their country has picked them to play for their team. You have been picked to represent yours so it is a good challenge.

“Hopefully, if I am picked to play, playing at Pittodrie would be an advantage for me as I know the surroundings. It would be great if we could get a big crowd supporting us. I know the U21s have not played in Aberdeen for a while so it would be nice if the Aberdeen supporters, as well as the North East public got behind us over the next week.”

The 20-year-old started out his career with Queen’s Park making his senior debut at age 16 before going on to make 39 appearances for them, scoring 13 goals. In July 2013 Lawrence signed for The Dons. During the second half of the 2013/14 season the striker went out on loan to Dunfermline Athletic where he scored 7 goals in 14 appearances. In season 2014/15 he made his debut for Aberdeen in September last year in a Premiership game against Inverness CT, the first of 17 appearances for the Pittodrie side, two of them in the starting XI. Although Lawrence is still waiting for his first goal for the senior side, his 30 plus goals for the U20s were a major factor in the young Dons winning the SPFL Development League title last season.

“I think the loan move to St Mirren came at the right time for me. I knew my opportunities would be limited and you see how well the team and the strikers have started the season, the last few weeks aside. Apart from those game the whole team have performed very well.

“I also think I did everything I could in the Development League last season, especially as we won the title so I maybe needed a fresh challenge this campaign.

“I am only 20 and have to realise that playing as a striker is a difficult position. Especially if a manager just plays one player up front. Whenever I return to Pittodrie, I feel the experience I get at St Mirren will prepare me and make me more ready to take my chance when it comes. There are good teams in the Championship and it is a competitive league.

“I have played and scored goals in League Two for Queens Park, I was on loan at Dunfermline in League One and now I am playing in the Championship, so hopefully the next step is to score goals for Aberdeen in the Premiership! “I am getting the opportunity to play more football, getting more minutes and therefore getting more experience so I am enjoying my spell in Paisley. It has been good for me to go out and get a few games under my belt, get a few goals and also there are a few assists in there as well.

“Results so far have not been as good as we would have liked but I feel we are in a false position in the league. I think we have played a lot better than the results suggest and I feel we have deserved more points. We have lost a number of games by one goal, late goals as well. I think we will start getting wins.

“I thought I had got rid of Langers! To be fair he has been very good to me and helped me settle in. It is always easier when you know someone at a club. But to be fair all the boys have been brilliant with me and helped me. It is a bit strange hearing Jamie giving out instructions as a coach now! He seems to be enjoying his new role though.”

Both of Scotland's matches will be held at Pittodrie Stadium and pre-sale tickets are priced at just £5 for adults and £2 for kids.

Supporters can also take advantage of a youth group offer enabling 5 adults and 20 kids entry for only £30 (offer ends Friday, 2 October at 5pm).

For full details of how to secure your tickets call the Aberdeen FC Ticket Office on 01224 63 1903.