LAWRENCE Shankland says he’d love to emulate Romelu Lukaku and Diego Costa’s goalscoring form in the play-offs for Morton after watching the two international stars in action on Sunday.

Shankland and team-mate Michael Doyle visited Goodison Park at the weekend to watch Everton take on Chelsea in the English Premier League. 

The Morton striker was blown away by the talent on show as Antonio Conte’s men defeated the Toffees 
3-0.

After watching the Everton and Chelsea forwards in action, Shankland hopes some of their goalscoring prowess rubs off on him. 

He exclusively told the Tele: “Me and Doyley got a couple of tickets and we went down for the day to Everton versus Chelsea. 

“They’re obviously brilliant teams and Chelsea are going for the title so it was different to see some world class players as well. It was a good day.

“I was looking at Romelu Lukaku and Diego Costa, the two centre-forwards. 

“They’re really good players and you take what you can from watching them. But there was a lot of good players on show, the defenders were good as well.

“Hopefully I can emulate their form! I’ll do alright if I can do that. But they’re world class and you can only try and work towards that.”

Shanks notched another goal for Ton last weekend against Dunfermline Athletic but was disappointed with the 3-1 defeat to the Pars at East End Park.

But he reckons the scoreline wasn’t a fair reflection on Morton’s performance.

He said: “I’m definitely pleased to be on the scoresheet again last weekend, it’s always good to get a goal. But it was another disappointing result for us.

“A few of the younger boys got their debut and they’ll have probably taken a lot from the game, as did we. 

“So I think 3-1 was probably a wee bit harsh, especially the last goal which took a big deflection into the top corner when it could’ve gone anywhere. I thought we played some good stuff so we’ll take a lot from it.

“Even when they scored we were in control of the game and when the half went on we got the goal eventually. We actually had more chances and Doyley had one cleared off the line. 

“We were getting some joy but in the second half we were chasing the game and we didn’t quite hit it.”

Morton secured the play-offs against Ayr United over a fortnight ago and Shankland insists he’s buzzing to get the big games started sooner rather than later.

However, the on-loan Aberdeen forward acknowledges that his side hope to come through their final league game against Dundee United with a positive performance.

Asked if it’s the ideal time to pick up a win and build momentum going into the play-offs, Shankland reminded himself that the play-offs are all ‘cup finals’ that his side should be up for, regardless of the form book.

He said: “We’re desperate to get the play-offs started. We’ve known we’ve been there for a couple of weeks now and we can’t finish any higher than we are now. So we want to get things started and get right in amongst it, but with the calendar games you have to get them finished.

“Dundee United still have a lot to play for, they can still finish second if results go their way. But we want to get a good performance.

“If I’m honest, I’m not too worried about momentum. The play-offs are all cup finals, you’re always going to be up for the games and I don’t think we’re playing terrible just now. 

“That’s the thing, results haven’t been going our way but we’ve not been bad. 

“You could say it’s maybe a bit of bad luck but you’ll never take anything away from the other teams.”

Meanwhile Shankland, 21, said of his loan and contract situation: “I haven’t spoken to anyone at all about it, I’m just totally focused on the play-offs just now — that’s the important thing for me. 

“I’ll concentrate on my football and take things when they come.”