Lawrence Shankland admits he was stunned to learn he was on the shortlist for the Scottish Football Writers’ Association’s Player of the Year award.
The Scotland striker joins Celtic pair Odsonne Edouard and Callum McGregor and Rangers star Alfredo Morelos in the running for the prize.
But when the Dundee United hero’s girlfriend asked him to name the four nominees he got stuck on the fourth never thinking it would be him.
Shankland said: “Nicole was sitting next to me and asked me to guess who had been
nominated. I couldn’t get the fourth one – it was me.
“I worked my way through the full squads of Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen – everyone.
“I was surprised. It’s a big award and to be nominated alongside these players is great. It’s something to be proud of.
“It’s good company to keep. They are three great players that I’m mixing with.
“Everyone knows if you are playing for Rangers and Celtic then you are a good player but when you see them playing in Europe they are just top players.”
The 24-year-old knows his next challenge is to be up with the likes of Morelos and Edouard in the Premiership scoring charts next season.
Shankland said: “Definitely, as a striker they will be my competition in terms of going out and trying to score goals.
“I’m expecting those two players to be up there in the high numbers again next season. It’s another challenge for me.”
The hitman bagged 29 goals for club and country before the campaign was halted early.
And he’s glad achievements outwith the Premiership have been recognised.
He said: “When they decided the league was going to come to a close we were the team to get promoted. But we earned it.
“Winning promotion was everyone’s objective. It’s great for myself when you’ve had a good season to get some recognition.
“I played in the Championship with Ayr United but there were question marks over me when I moved to United.
“United are a big club and people were looking to see if I could produce again. Thankfully I managed to do that.
“I don’t enjoy proving people wrong. I just like proving myself right. I know what I can do.”
United sporting director Tony Asghar expects bids for Shankland this summer but the frontman is just concentrating on helping United make their mark in the top division.
He said: “The first objective is to secure our place in the Premiership in our first season back. If we can get it done early doors then maybe we can sneak into the top six or even better.”
