He had just scored a hat-trick of headers and topped it all off with a clinical finish for his fourth with his left boot but Lawrence Shankland insisted there is still much more to come from him in a Dundee United jersey.
That statement of intent should send a shiver of fear down the spines of opposition defenders throughout the rest of the Championship.
Shankland netted 34 times for Ayr last season, putting him on the radar of a host of clubs but United won the race for his signature and he showed what a coup it could prove to be for the club as he put Inverness to the sword on Saturday in the league opener at Tannadice.
When asked why he had ultimately chosen to join Robbie Neilson’s side, Shankland, who was firmly clutching the treasured match ball, said: “It just felt right. There was a lot to think about but I had to look at it as a place that I can come and develop to get better again than I did last year.
“I have had a good start today so hopefully I can kick on and do even better.
“I am not going to put myself under any pressure but it was a good start and if it keeps going and I get myself into positions, then I will back myself to score.”
His manager could not hide his delight with Shankland’s contribution but he insisted the whole team were deserving of credit for their emphatic victory over the Highland outfit.
Neilson said: “We were chasing Lawrence all summer and the reason we are delighted to get him is because if you put the ball in that area, the majority of time he will put it in the back of the net for you.
“So I was delighted with him but I thought the entire team was exceptional.
“But I am delighted for Lawrence, it gets him off the mark and it is a great statement to everyone else.”
Meanwhile, Neilson admitted he was in the dark over a report on Saturday linking Crystal Palace with a £400,000 move for teenager Scott banks who was a sub on Saturday.
The manager added: “I would be surprised if there wasn’t interest in quite a few young boys.
“Whether that report is true I don’t know as I haven’t heard anything about it.”
