Lawrence Shankland cut a frustrated figure in Paisley at times during Dundee United's stalemate with St Mirren on Friday. In a game that boasted a solitary one shot on target, it was not one for the neutral.

Too often this season that has been the story for the Scotland forward, who started his campaign with two goals in as many games but hasn’t scored since netting against Hamilton in Septempber. His side however have fashioned just eight shots on target in their previous five Scottish Premiership matches, chances have not come at a premium.

“It was frustrating at times,” conceded Shankland. “But when you come away from home you know it is going to be difficult. It was a weird game, there wasn’t much in it for both teams.

“One shot on target in the game? That sums it up, really. It was one of those games. It wasn’t great so we’ll just take the point.”

Despite a goal return lower than his normal rate so far this season, the 25-year-old’s undoubted qualities have earned him a place in the Scotland squad for the nations’ European Championship play-off match against Serbia next week. He knows that the country won’t care about dominating that game if they can leave Serbia with a victory.

He continued: “I’m looking forward to getting away. It will be a change of scenery and obviously a hugely important game to be involved in.

“It would be huge {to qualify}. We had the game last month against Israel in similar circumstances. It’s a one-off game, this time we are away from home. Hopefully we can go there and win, we are in good form. It’s eight games unbeaten for us, so you can’t ask for much more going into a game of that magnitude.

“I’m not too bothered about the performance, to be honest with you – it’s just about getting through. If we can do that, I’m sure everyone will be happy.”

“When things are going well and you are getting good results, it’s easy to build that spirit and thankfully enough that’s the way it is going just now. We’re going into the game in good form, the team is doing well and we’ll look to go over there and get another result, which will hopefully take us through.”

A player who will be a shoe in for international recognition in the future if his development continues on an upward trend is Ethan Erhahon. The 19-year-old St Mirren man looked accomplished in central midfield in the fixture with United and was given man of the match for his exploits.

Erhahon was one of the Saints team who tested positive for Covid-19 and was delighted to be back on the pitch after his side played their first match in nearly a month.

“We were unlucky not to take the three points,” stated Erhahon. We dominated United and the one we need to do is take our chances - I’m pretty sure when one goes in we’ll kick on from there and we’ll be flying.

“I was one of the ones who tested positive, though thankfully I was asymptomatic. But it still meant ten days without leaving the house, which is the worst thing I can think of.

“It’s great to be back playing - I was enjoying my football before we had that long break, so it’s good to get going again and hopefully after this result the wins will start coming soon.

“It’s been tough for the lads these last few weeks, having to isolate, not getting to train or to play and you could tell by the last 20 out there that some of them were knackered, but we got through it and all things considered it was a good point.”