LAW OF THE LAND

Superstar Shankland is best striker in Scotland... and he's better than Adams and Dykes for the national team too

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IN DOUBLE FIGURES Shankland roars after scoring at weekend to take his tally to 10 for the season

LAWRENCE SHANKLAND isn't just the best Scottish striker right now.

He's the best striker in Scotland full stop.

That's why I'm not surprised that he's back in Steve Clarke's national squad.

Let's be honest, Shankland's form is so good for Hearts, the Scotland manager couldn't ignore him any longer.

The results of these upcoming games against Greece and Denmark will decide whether we finish top of our group or go into the World Cup playoffs.

And, for me, Shankland HAS to play.

I know Clarke has established strikers in there, such as Che Adams of Torino and big Lyndon Dykes at Birmingham.

But I genuinely believe Shankland is a better player than both of them.

There is nobody near him in the Scottish game.

I'm not just talking about scoring goals. It's his all-round linkup play as well and how he conducts himself.

And whenever he has played for Scotland before, I think he has been excellent.

Shankland has never let Clarke down when picked.

He has three goals in 16 caps but should have played more for his country.

Now that he's back to his best, it was a no-brainer to call him up again. It's nothing more than he deserves.

And if we get to a first World Cup since 1998, he has to be on the plane to the USA, Canada and Mexico next summer.

I'm not being disrespectful to Adams or Dykes, I like them both.