In the previous three transfer blogs, we have searched the English leagues for talent that could aid Town’s promotion bid next season. But not this week. Instead, we will be looking to Scotland, a place Paul Lambert knows well, to assess the talent that could make the move to Suffolk in the Summer.
As ever, we will focus on three key areas where Town need to strengthen. A deadly striker, a skilful winger and a commanding centre-half feature on the blog this week, with each of them able to add something different to Town’s squad.
The transfer window is closing-in, so let the rumour mill start turning again… This time looking North, to Scotland.
Lawrence Shankland – Ayr
Every transfer blog, we have looked at a striker. It’s clearly the key area that Town need to strengthen in the summer and with Will Keane’s permanent addition growing increasingly unlikely, Town will need to add two top strikers to the their ranks if they’re to get out of League One at the first time of asking.
There are plenty of top strikers in Scotland but one, in particular, catches my eye. And that’s Lawrence Shankland.
Shankland, 23, is a pacy striker who plays for Ayr United in the Scottish Championship. In his last two seasons, he’s managed 44 goals in 46 games for the Scottish side in both the Scottish League One and the Scottish Championship. He’s coming into his prime now, as the stats show, but he’s also played an impressive amount of games. He’s closing in on 200 appearances in all competitions, with spells at Aberdeen, St Mirren and most recently and successfully, Ayr United.
Shankland boasts a range of finishing, using his pace and trickery to leave defenders for dead. Whilst the Scottish leagues may not be played at the same standard as England’s, it’s clear to see that any one with a goal-scoring record like Shankland’s, would be able to make the jump.
A pacy striker with 90 goals in 197 appearances? I certainly wouldn’t say no.
Tom Walsh – Inverness
Much like Shankland, Tom Walsh has been around the block in Scotland.
Failing to make an impact at Rangers, Walsh has spent time on loan at St Mirren, Dumbarton and Stenhousemuir before securing a permanent move to Inverness in 2018. In the Scottish Championship this season, Walsh has managed 6 goals and 6 assists in 29 games, not a bad record for a winger finding his feet at a new club.
Town are desperate for more quality from the wide areas, with Gwion Edwards struggling with consistency and Alan Judge yet to truly get going in blue. Grant Ward could potentially depart on a free and, with Town operating on a tight budget once again, Walsh could be a good, cheap option to bring to the club.
He’s managed over 120 appearances at the age of 22 and has the potential to get even better than his current statistics show. He is considered the dark horse of the Inverness side as he’s never a stand-out player, rather doing his job well and always managing a consistent level of play. Another positive for Walsh is his diversity, with many considering him to be both left and right footed, something that not many modern day players can claim.
It’s been an inconsistent career for Walsh so far, but after his best season to date, maybe a jump to the next level is just what the former Rangers man needs.
Charles Dunne – Motherwell
Could boss Paul Lambert look to former club Motherwell to solve the defence crisis looming at Portman Road? Quite possibly.
Charles Dunne, 26, is a commanding centre-half who can also play at left-back. There are two massive positives in Dunne’s favour, both of which could see Lambert turn to the Motherwell man.
Firstly, Dunne has experience in Scotland’s top-flight, as well as a proven pedigree in England. Before moving to Scotland, Dunne applied his trade for the likes of Blackpool, Wycombe and Oldham, operating in League One, League Two and The Championship. Never shining as a top player, Dunne was always seen as resolute and reliable; a force to be reckoned with. However, it never really worked out in England, with Dunne heading North in 2017 to join Motherwell. Dunne has found his feet in Scotland, making 68 appearances in all competitions in his first two seasons for The Well. Featuring against the likes of Celtic and Rangers is bound to do wonders for Dunne and potentially catch the eye of Town boss Paul Lambert.
Dunne is also a left-footed centre-half, something we know Lambert likes. He could prove to be the perfect tutor for Corrie Ndaba, a player likely to make his first-team breakthrough next season.
The Irishman’s contract isn’t up for another year, but I wouldn’t put it past Paul Lambert to be able to persuade Dunne to move back to England this summer.
Each of the these talents could be big assets for Town next season.
We’ve seen before, with the likes of Martyn Waghorn and Joe Garner, that players from the Scottish leagues can easily make the step up in class. Dunne, Shankland and Walsh are all top players for their sides, but not so key that they couldn’t be bought. As with every player, each would have their price, but none of them would break the bank.
Town need quality, but Evans won’t be spending big and these three represent quality at a cut-price. I’ve no doubt Lambert will look to Scotland for reinforcements in the summer and there’s a good chance that this trio could catch his eye.
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