I've seen him play twice. Maybe not extreme pace but he's strong and chases absolutely everything. His scoring record shows his positioning and coolness is good. Let's face it for a months worth of Benteke's wages he's got to be worth a punt.

Is he a golfer?

Trump lost. Badly. Hahahahahahaha.

Possibly, but with all due respect to Dundee United, the Scottish Championship is nowhere near the standard of the English Championship.

Many years ago now I actually wrote to Steve Coppell about a chap playing in the Scottish League (with Stirling Albion, I think) who was scoring goals for fun like this Shankland feller. Another English club (Luton, possibly) did appear to have him on their radar and had made enquiries. Anyway Steve treated my contact with the contempt it deserved (he didn’t reply) and after a couple more seasons this player was never heard of again. I can’t even remember his name now.

"Better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt."
Mark Twain.

I take your point about Messi. The best players in the world have to start somewhere. I’m all for finding these hidden gems. I’d much rather Palace unearthed the next star instead of bringing in already established PL players looking for a last payday. We aren’t good at planning for the future: we are just fire-fighting all the time.

Shankland is an interesting find though. I’ll keep an eye on how he’s doing. If he does continue his current form, you can bet he’ll probably end up somewhere like Southampton, not with us.

"Better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt."
Mark Twain.

Under the rules we are not allowed to sign a striker with any sort of clue as to where the opposition net is located.

Whisper it quietly, but that's another two goals today for Mr Shankland.

"Better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt."
Mark Twain.