Lawrence Shankland continues to score for fun as Dundee United cruise towards the Scottish Championship title.

A whopping 17 point lead over closest challengers Inverness Caledonian Thistle should be enough, already, to seal the silverware for Robbie Neilson's men along with promotion. We're only in January.

Shankland has banged in 22 league goals for the Tangerines this term but has also scored bigger goals including one against Premiership outfit Hibs in the Scottish Cup, one against Hearts at Tynecastle in the Betfred Cup and one in his Hampden Park debut as a Scotland player against San Marino.

Celtic scout Tosh McKinlay watches Lawrence Shankland net against Hibs

The type of form that has prompted Celtic scouts and QPR's director of football Les Ferdinand going out of their way to watch the hitman in action personally.

But it's that last goal Shankland remembers fondest. Especially given that March will see Steve Clarke's Scotland side take on Israel in the manager's biggest challenge yet as leader of the Tartan Army. The Nations League play-off is sure to be a tough game but one Shankland hopes to be involved in.

All he can do is continue his rich vein of form for United and hope that Clarke is watching.

"I wouldn't say it's in my mind constantly," Shankland said. "I know that if I'm performing at my best and scoring goals then I'll be in with a good shout. I've been in the past two squads so all I can do, really, is keep doing what I'm doing and keep up the good performances."