Hearts manager Steven Naismith claims there are currently “no talks” with Rangers-linked Lawrence Shankland over a new contract.
The Jambos boss was speaking after Lawrence Shankland scored his 27th goal of the season in the club’s 2-0 victory over Celtic.
Also etting his 20th Scottish Premiership goal of the campaign, the strike has once again reignited the conversation around a potential summer move to Rangers.
Asked about Hearts’ hopes of keeping the Scotland international striker around beyond the summer, Steven Naismith admitted Lawrence Shankland contract discussions are on hold for the time being.
Steven Naismith on Lawrence Shankland contract
Speaking to BBC Sportsound following the victory over Celtic, Hearts manager Steven Naismith was calm when asked about Lawrence Shankland’s contract situation.
Heading into the final 12 months of his deal in the summer, there are sure to be plenty of suitors and perhaps the boyhood Rangers fan will finally get the chance to turn out at Ibrox.
“There’s no talks going on at the moment because we’re in the middle of the season,” said Naismith. “We’ll see what happens come the summer.
“We’re playing good football, we’re winning games, we’re in a good position. That’s the main thing and that’s what we’re focusing on at the moment.
“These performances, these wins, and all this good work so far this season and continuing to build on that and see where we finish.”
Asked about needing to sell Hearts to Lawrence Shankland: “I don’t think we need to sell the club to anybody, I think we just show what we’re capable of.
“I’ve said it before as a manager you want to be honest with players that you’re bringing in, players that you’re keeping, you just give them the honest view of what we can give them.
“Days like today and playing in Europe is what we can strive to get every season and that will attract good players.”
Shankland was also asked about the situation after the game and said: “We’ll see. We’ll open talks further down the line, the club and I are happy about the situation and it’s going really well. We keep winning games and everybody’s happy.”
Rangers to eye Hearts striker?
Rangers are heading into a potential summer of change in the club’s forward line and Hearts talisman Lawrence Shankland is front and centre in the Ibrox discussion.
The Scottish Premiership’s star striker, the 28-year-old is a boyhood bluenose and given he’s about to enter the final 12 months of his Hearts deal could be very much available in the summer.
There are major doubts surrounding Rangers striker Cyriel Dessers – who continues to to be profligate in front of goal – with fan fears surrounding the Nigerian’s reliability persisting.
Perennially crocked Ibrox striker Kemar Roofe, who is slowly coming back from yet another injury, is also out of contract come the end of the season.
As things stand, the striker will be very well to be offered a new deal at Rangers and has a big challenge to convince Philippe Clement otherwise.
With Lawrence Shankland’s Hearts contract discussions shelved until the summer, we expect Rangers’ ears may well have been pricked.
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