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Neilson responds to speculation over Celtic´s Shankland interest

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Robbie Neilson is expecting to hold onto Lawrence Shankland until the end of the season despite speculation that Celtic are ready to table a bid.

Tosh McKinlay watched the striker score for Dundee United in their 2-2 Scottish Cup draw with Hibs today after Nicky Hammond was spotted watching United last week when Shankland scored a hat trick against Partick Thistle.

United signed Shankland in the summer as a free agent and have been rewarded with the goals that look certain to end their four year exile from the SPFLPremiership.

Seeing out the three years of his contract looks unlikely but with Nicky Clark breaking his ankle last week Neilson is more reliant than ever on his former Ayr United striker.

Responding to speculation over a likelybid from Celtic Neilson told The Sun:

I hope Lawrence will still be here next month and I think so. This game is not going to help us from that side of it. But I’ve said for a long time that getting promoted is more valuable to us than selling one of our key players.

I’m expecting him to be here until the end of the season and what happens beyond that will be dependent on what offers come in. He’s a good player. It wasn’t just his class with the goal, it was his link play. He’s so fluid on the ball and was great for him to get his goal.”

It´s not known whether Shankland had a get out clause inserted in his United contract with a fee of £1-2m being quoted.

In October Shankland made his Scotland debut in the Euro 2020 qualfier away to Russia before scoring his first international goal in the Hampden victory over San Marino.

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