Lawrence Shankland is ready for the next step in his international journey as he targets becoming Scotland's main striker at Euro 2024.
The Heart of Midlothian captain has netted 55 goals from 86 games since joining the club almost two years ago. His prolific form has seen him top the Scottish Premiership scoring chart this season, with the Edinburgh side looking certain to finish best of the rest in the league table.
Shankland, 28, has learned to deal with the pressures that come at Hearts and is determined to showcase his talents on the international stage, when Scotland face The Netherlands and Northern Ireland in a friendly double-header this week. He has just three caps for Steve Clarke's Scots but is praying his recent 'deserved' call-up can help cement himself in the long-term plans ahead of this summer's Euros.
He said: "There is obviously pressure there but you need to embrace that and take it on. I feel I've dealt with pressures. I've had to deal with them at club level so this is the next step for me - to go and deal with it at international level. I believe I'm definitely good enough to be involved. If I can get the opportunity then I will try to show that. Whether you perform at your best or not, it's just about going out there, giving it your best and see where it takes you.
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"It's good to be involved with the squad. I've got two games to play now and the manager will be wanting to get a look at people ahead of the Euros. If I get the chance, it's just about trying to impress and do my best. I've been doing well recently, probably barring the last two games. Up until then I had been really good so I can go into this week with good confidence. I'm looking forward to it."
Shankland has previously been late replacement into the Scotland squad, but during the chat with Edinburgh Evening News, he admitted he feels he's shown that he's good enough to battle it out with Queen's Park Rangers forward Lyndon Dykes and Southampton's Che Adam's for a starting slot up front.
He continued: "It's good to be in at the start but I feel like I've deserved it. My form has been good, I've kept it going from the last camp in November. I knew there was going to be a big gap between those two camps so it's important to keep your form going and I've managed to do that."
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