One Rangers starlet was quick to shower praise on Hearts teammate Lawrence Shankland after the latter’s Edinburgh derby heroics.
Shankland has been heavily linked with Rangers in the build-up to the January transfer window opening and showed exactly what he could bring to Ibrox on Wednesday night.
The Scotland forward didn’t have the best of games against Hibs at Easter Road and was set to end the game goalless after missing an early penalty for Hearts.
But Shankland is a born match-winner and when presented with the chance to snatch the city bragging rights in the 93rd minute, he took it with sheer aplomb.
Alex Lowry’s Shankland declaration
It was an excellent finish into the top corner by Shankland, who Hearts are reportedly preparing to offer a new contract to and ward off any interest Rangers may have in him.
Shankland insists his focus is only on the Jambos at the moment and the same can be said for Alex Lowry, who is on loan at the Tynecastle club from Rangers.
Lowry has played 17 games for Hearts this season as he gains experience away from Govan, but he wasn’t afforded the chance to add to that tally in Leith.
He was an unused substitute and would have had a great view of the wild celebrations in the Hearts end when Shankland netted his sensational winning goal.
Lowry was so impressed by the goal and it prompted him to post a two-word message describing how he felt about Shankland at the moment.
Sharing Hearts’ official Instagram image of Shankland wheeling away in celebration, Lowry simply captioned it with “the goat”.
It’s clear affirmation of how highly Rangers starlet Lowry rates Shankland, who Neil McCann wants ‘handcuffed’ and made Hearts’ highest paid player.
The links to Rangers will no doubt continue into January otherwise, although the signature of forward Fabio Silva may now see Gers look for signings in other positions.
But Lowry could yet return to Ibrox in the summer and link-up with Shankland once again, this time in Light Blue jerseys. Only time will tell.
