Lawrence Shankland makes one thing clear on Hearts future after Neil Critchley admission
Neil Critchley, the manager of the Jambos, insisted last week that Shankland, whose current contract expires at the end of the season, will have contract negotiations.
After declining to sign the terms offered by the club last year and then failing to return to the negotiation table, it was anticipated that the 29-year-old would depart Tynecastle.
CEO Andrew McKinlay said Shankland would be leaving and statements from the player previously suggested the same.
Hearts’ lack of a contract offer for their captain and number nine led former captain Michael Stewart to call them “mental.”
Despite having over 50 goals in his previous two seasons, he has only managed four this season due to poor play. Even though he has been more of a supplier than a scorer, his performances have recently improved. Over the weekend, he laid on two assists for Elton Kabangu against St Johnstone.
Interest levels that could have existed earlier may have decreased, and it currently appears that Shankland has a good chance of remaining in place.
Following Critchley’s remarks regarding his future, Shankland has now spoken his opinions.
He maintains that it is typical for people in his position to discuss ideas for the future with their club, i.e., whether they want to stay or leave.
He anticipates that negotiations will be put on hold until after Hearts’ busy week, which includes games against St. Johnstone on Wednesday and Hibs on Sunday.
“I think it will be the situation with everybody who is out of contract, and it gets to a stage in the season where it does need to be had – whether you’re staying or you’re going and the club’s plans for the future,” he told the Edinburgh Evening News.
“I don’t want to speculate too much, but I think the talks will take place eventually. In order to address it, I believe we will first try to finish this week.
Shankland continued, “I’ve never said that I wouldn’t stay,” when asked if he was open to staying in Gorgie. A long time ago, in January 2024, they made me an offer of a contract.
“We’ve not really spoken about it since and we’ve just got on with things. The club and I were at the moment at ease with the future course of events, so whatever happens, happens.
“We’ll see. It’s at that phase — there’s nothing too deep about it. We’ll just have to wait and see what occurs.
Critchley has changed his formation in recent games, occasionally using a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-2 diamond instead of the flat middle he previously used.
Shankland, who formerly played as a “number 10” behind a striker, is currently at the top of the diamond behind James Wilson and Kabangu.
“I’ve played a bit of it in the early seasons I’ve been here, but this is probably the first time I’ve been secured to a midfield role,” he said of his new position.
“I used to play right off the striker; it’s obviously similar, but defensively it’s different. It has been beneficial for me to have to learn a few things. Learning a new role is always beneficial, and I’m doing my job if I continue to provide assistance.
As a No. 10 player, I might not be the kind of player that other players are. I am slightly different. Naturally, seeing games like that gives you a sense of what a No. 10 needs to do; part of the job is to go into the position, get on the half-turn, and give the strikers chances.
Fortunately, I was able to accomplish it on Sunday, and as a result, we won.
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