Rangers-linked Lawrence Shankland wins yet another three points for Hearts and nets his 50th goal for the Tynecastle club in the process.
The Scotland international striker, 28, has been on immense form for the Edinburgh side with his 22nd goal of the season the difference between the Jambos and Dundee.
That 1-0 victory was Hearts’ sixth league victory on the bounce with their status as the Scottish Premiership’s third force well and truly cemented.
It almost justifies the club’s decision to price Rangers out of the Lawrence Shankland hunt as they look to qualify for European knockout football for the second season in a row.
Hearts CEO Andrew McKinlay had suggested that Hearts wanted north of £4.5m for the striker in January due to his importance in the hunt for 3rd place.
Lawrence Shankland reaches 50 for Hearts
Speaking after the game, Lawrence Shankland thanked Hearts fans for a banner recognising his achievements in reaching the milestone.
In true Shankland style, the Hearts forward also claimed that he would not be resting on his laurels.
“It is a nice bit of recognition for myself, at the time I actually forgot it was my 50th until the end when I saw the banner from the fans, that was obviously a nice touch from them,” said Shankland.
“The club have given me a chance to come here and play and it was up to me to go and take it and I feel like I have done that, the numbers back that up in terms of what I have done so far, but I will not rest there, I want to keep going and go and get more.”
The striker was also asked about contract discussions over his future, with Lawrence Shankland out of contract at Hearts in the summer:
“It is obviously stopped for now, the club offered one that had a deadline on it but it was obviously too soon to make decisions like that when I have still got 18 months on my contract so there is a lot to think about. But I am sure we will revisit it further down the line, I think the club have said that as well. So, for now things are going well on the pitch and I think it is important we just keep doing that and we can worry about that later.”
Rangers links one to watch heading into summer
Lawrence Shankland reached the 50 goal landmark in 79 games for Hearts with the club’s manager Steven Naismith labelling him “the best forward in the league”.
It’s not without good reason either and Lawrence Shankland is certainly an interesting option for Rangers heading into the summer.
With the Ibrox club looking at a substantial reshuffle, the Hearts hitman is a potentially solid Scottish Premiership option and one suspects the links will resurface come June.
For many fans, Shankland is one of two Premiership striker options who might interest Ibrox chiefs in the summer, only he’d be substantially cheaper than the £8m alternative.
