Lawrence Shankland has nothing to prove when he goes up against Aberdeen for the first time since being released by the Dons three years ago.

That’s the emphatic view of Dundee United skipper Mark Reynolds who, ahead of the duo facing their old side, says the striker has already gone on to show the world what he can do.

Shankland, who is aiming to shoot down his old side this afternoon, is reaping the benefits of choosing to be the master of his own destiny, according to Reynolds.

The 25-year-old has previously admitted his big move in 2013 north from Queen's Park came too soon. In four years in the north east - spent mostly out on loan - he made just 17 top team appearances for the Reds and failed to net once

t took a move to Ayr United and an astonishing 62-goal burst in two years to reignite Shankland’s career and win him the switch to Tannadice where he has struck 30 times in 38 games.

That form has made the 25-year-old a regular in the Scotland set-up - and had many Aberdeen fans wondering if Derek McInnes boobed by letting him go.

But Reynolds said: “As much as Aberdeen let him go, Lawrence wanted to go.

“It’s not as if Aberdeen decided Shanks wasn’t a good enough player, it was just circumstances at the time.

“He had good players in front of him – that front three of Hayes, McGinn and Rooney who were causing chaos and scoring goals every week so he was struggling to get into a very good Aberdeen team at the time.

“He was also a young guy, wanting to go and play and prove himself, which he’s done.

“Lawrence wants to prove himself every week regardless of who he’s playing against. He wants to score a goal every game and he goes into them full of belief he can get at least one.

“I don’t think Lawrence will be going into it with a vendetta or trying to score any more than he does.

“You look at guys at top teams just now and they all have different career paths. For Lawrence, he wants to be the one in charge of his own career and own destiny.

“In football, the only way you can do that is by playing games and if that means dropping down a level or two to play and improve to work yourself back up then you need to do that.

“For me, it was always the right idea and Derek McInnes wasn’t the type of manager to stand in somebody’s way.

“Obviously, Aberdeen will be looking at it now and the fans will be thinking they should’ve kept a hold of him because he’s turned into an international class striker but that’s football.

“You knew he had the quality but you see guys like that all the time, guys coming through and doing well. The question is always there, when the opportunity presents itself can they go and do it?

“I think Shanks has answered that at every level and for the national team at the top level.”

Reynolds himself spent seven years at Pittodrie and lifted the League Cup in 2014.

He’s set to reacquaint himself with a number of old colleagues this afternoon - not least Andy Considine whose fairytale Scotland call-up at the age of 33 has got Reynolds believing his own dream could still be alive.

Niall McGinn and Jonny Hayes will also be on Tayside and Reynolds said: “I’m just waiting on them signing Rooney on loan and that’ll be the front three completed!

Andy Considine summed up after the game how most players in Scotland feel - you always have a chance.

“It’s good to have a manager who is willing to look at players on form. I’ve never understood the argument that ‘he’s not really one for the future’. It’s not as if you’re going to lose the player to a big club.

“I know it’s a step up but Andy is a very good player and is more than capable. So personally it gives me a bit of hope that maybe at 33 there’s still a chance.

“Every player for Scotland is a fan first and foremost so if you get that call up you want to go and do the best you can.

“I’m just delighted to see Andy get those two caps and do so well.”

Reference: Fraser Wilson: 1 hour ago