According to The Daily Record (live transfer blog, 6th January, 10:59), Crystal Palace sent a representative to cast an eye over Dundee United striker Lawrence Shankland in his side's 1-0 win over Queen of the South.

What's the word, then?

Well, the Eagles' interest in Shankland comes as no surprise, for he has been enjoying a stunning campaign over in the Scottish Championship.

The 24-year-old has scored an eye-catching 21 goals in 24 appearances this season, while also grabbing three assists which means that, on average, he has been involved in a goal every game - impressive stuff from the Scotsman.

Despite not playing his football in the Scottish Premiership, Shankland has still earned two caps for Scotland and has one goal to his name, which came against San Marino - in doing so, he became the first lower-division player to score for Scotland in a competitive match since Clyde’s Tommy Ring netted against England in 1957.

The Times ran a feature on the Dundee United forward, in which they waxed lyrical about his qualities.

"Shankland is a natural in front of the posts, a sniffer who knows where to be and when. That much was obvious in the early minutes when James Forrest burst down the left and cut a low ball across the box. With all the nous of a seasoned striker, Shankland timed his run to perfection, darting in ahead of his marker to flash a shot at goal. It pranged off the goalkeeper’s diving body and over the bar."

Andy Robertson and John McGinn are proof that Palace could be hunting in the right area

While some might argue that Scottish football isn't comparable to that of the Premier League, two success stories are living, breathing proof that Palace might just be hunting in the right area, and could also be making a shrewd move should they secure Shankland's signature.

Liverpool star Andy Robertson - a former teammate of Shankland's - arrived on these shores with Hull before making the switch to Anfield, where he racked up 13 assists on his way to winning the Champions League last season.

The Scotland captain had also previously turned out for Queen's Park and Dundee United.

Additionally, Aston Villa's midfield heartbeat John McGinn - formerly of St Mirren and Hibernian - is also proof that quality players can be found in Scottish teams outside of the top two sides, Celtic and Rangers.

It's the dawn of a new decade in the Premier League, but how much do you know about the last 10 years?

Villa's No.7 has impressed so much in his debut campaign in the Premier League that the man who scouted him, Bobby Jenks, revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson was wondering why Manchester United let him slip through.

“He’s up there with the best-performing midfielders in the division. Wait until he’s had a year at that level and then we can say more. What I do know is that Sir Alex Ferguson is wondering why Manchester United let a talented Scottish boy slip through. He’ll be keeping a close eye on him that’s for sure and if he continues the way he is, you can bet he’ll be telling his pals at United, too.”

If Shankland can follow either of Robertson or McGinn's paths in England, Palace Sporting Director Dougie Freedman could be onto something.

In other news, Roy Hodgson's latest moan suggests his transfer pleas towards Steve Parish and Dougie Freedman are reaching boiling point...