Celtic and Rangers watched Dundee United’s scoring sensation Lawrence Shankland net his latest hat-trick.
Hoops talent spotter Tosh McKinlay and Ibrox scout Billy McLaren were at Tannadice as the Championship leaders mauled Morton on Saturday.
The on-form striker continued his sizzling start to the season as he took his impressive tally to 15 goals, with half United's six goal haul.
Rangers and Celtic both had the free-scoring frontman watched regularly last season for Ayr United but now he has taken it up a notch with Robbie Neilson’s table toppers.
The 24-year-old had a string of clubs in England and Scotland in for him before United pulled out all he stops to sign him on a free transfer in the summer.
Shankland helped Ayr to win promotion to the Championship and in 73 appearances he netted an impressive 60 plus goals.
United’s decision to push out the boat has reaped instant dividends as they are top of the table and already nine points ahead of city rivals Dundee.
Shankland’s form has already led to Scottish and Rangers legend Ally McCoist to back him for a call-up for Steve Clarke’s shot-shy Scotland squad last week.
There is growing interest in Shankland and it is likely that Rangers and Celtic will continue to monitor his progress closely ahead of the January transfer window.
United are only likely to sell their top scorer and fans’ favourite if it is an over-the-odds offer comes in, but would prefer to keep him and help spearhead their push back to what they hope will be the Premiership.
