STRIKING sensation Lawrence Shankland insists he is happy at Ayr United, despite transfer speculation intensifying.

Premier Division Dundee have been linked with a £250,000 move for the player, who netted both goals on Saturday as the Honest Men defeated Partick Thistle 2-0 in their Ladbrokes Championship opener.

The former Aberdeen target man was coy about the interest and said: "When it happens, it happens. I'm not in a rush to move on from here.

"It's all just speculation at the moment. I'm enjoying it here and we have a really strong squad. I also have an opportunity to play in the Championship, which is a higher level for me than last season. It was a good result but that's just the first league game of the season. I was disappointed I didn't score a hat-trick but it's a team game."

Meanwhile boss Ian McCall admitted there was interest in the 22-year-old and said: "There have been enquiries, over the last few weeks, about a number of our players including Lawrence Shankland. All of these players are under contract to Ayr United Football Club. It would be wrong of me to mention clubs' names however we have had a number of enquiries about Lawrence from North and South of the border. All of these clubs have been informed that we would be extremely reluctant sellers and that it would take a significant transfer fee with a number of add ons for us even to consider it.

"As everyone can see by his form Lawrence is fully committed to Ayr United and thoroughly enjoying his football. Personally I am sure that he will go on to play at the top level but at this minute he is very much an Ayr United player.”

There was also strong support for Shankland from team-mate Declan McDaid, who said: "Lawrence has scored a lot of goals, but his link up play is also very good. He has a really good partnership with Michael Moffat and they work very well together."

McDaid was delighted to get one over on former club Partick Thistle and said: "We were comfortable out there and deserved to beat them, that's twice now in the last couple of weeks. But they are a good side."

He was also pleased to see midfielder Ross Docherty return from a long-term injury as he came on late in the game and added: "It was great to see Doc back, he is an important player."

Saturday sees United make the long trip north to face Inverness Caley Thistle and McDaid added: "They should be one of the best sides in the league but we have confidence and I don't see why we can't go there and win."