What do the stats say about struggling Shankland...

The Hearts striker, who has only scored once this season, had stood over a penalty kick as his team trailed their

Belgian opponents in the Europa Conference League with 10 minutes remaining.

Only 12 yards separated him from a chance to end his 10-game goal drought and almost guarantee his team’s place in

the knockout stages.

Whistle. Shot. End. Despair.

Moments later, Shankland had another golden opportunity when he put his head on a fantastic James Penrice cross.

Wide. More sadness.

Shankland has only scored one goal in 20 games this season, after netting 32 in 47 club appearances the previous

season.

Looking beyond the bare goal stats, the 29-year-old’s numbers don’t appear good in comparison to his amazing

campaign last season.

In the 2023/24 Premiership season, despite having an expected goals (xG) tally of 17, the Scotland international

scored 24 goals in 37 appearances.

This season, he has only one goal from a possible four.

To put that in perspective, the striker scored seven goals more than he was projected to based on his opportunities

last season.

This season, he has about three fewer points than he should have.

Interestingly, Shankland is getting around the same number of chances per game.

Last season, the striker had 50 opportunities, an average of 1.4 per game. So far this season, it’s been 17, which

equates to 1.3 per game.

His touches in the opponent box are also comparable to last year, at 7.1 per 90 minutes versus 7.0 this season.

What’s wrong if the chances and touches are both the same?

“Shankland, you can see he’s just riddled with that self doubt,” remarked Sportsound expert Neil McCann, which

pretty well wraps it up.

His teammates do not believe Shankland is far from the form that Hearts fans grew to expect last season.

Goalkeeper Craig Gordon said the striker was “devastated” in the changing room and has “not said a word” since

leaving the pitch, but he is confident they will assist him return to his peak performance.

“We’ll get round him and support him because he’s a top-quality striker and that will never go away,” stated the 41-

year-old player.

“He’ll be back, scoring goals, and it’s up to the rest of us to back him.

“We’ll all rally around him tonight and attempt to

Shankland’s experience and “broad shoulders” were mirrored by head coach Neil Critchley.

“We’ll stick with him, stand by him and give him the support he needs,” he told me.

“We would not be in this position [in Europe] if it weren’t for him and the goals he has scored.

“But he needs to stay with himself and not be too downhearted and we have to do the same.”

Hearts supporters, how do you rate Shankland’s performance this season? What do you believe has changed?

What do the stats say about struggling Shankland?