Neil Critchley opens up on Lawrence Shankland chat as new Hearts boss details captain plans.

Lawrence Shankland has been Hearts’ ‘on-field captain’, but Craig Gordon will continue to play a role in the team. Neil Critchley has stated that he will retain Lawrence Shankland as captain following ‘excellent talks’ with Hearts’ star striker. After two years of success in which the Jambos were regarded as the ‘best of the rest’, with a fourth-place finish in 2022/23 and a comfortable third-place finish last time out with a 12-point lead over fourth-placed Kilmarnock, it’s been a huge surprise this season to see the Gorgie-based club sit bottom of the Scottish Premiership table, with only two points from their first eight games.

There have been murmurs regarding Shankland abandoning the captaincy, having been Hearts’ ‘on-field’ skipper despite Craig Gordon’s prominence in the team, with the striker being their standout player for the past two seasons and more. But the former Blackpool manager, who was fired by Queens Park Rangers two years ago after winning just one of 12 games at Loftus Road, has pledged to maintain the status quo ahead of the Jambos’ home game against St Mirren on Saturday afternoon. Speaking to the press, he stated:

“I met with Lawrence yesterday; we had an excellent conversation, and he described the scenario, and I see no need to change it. He’s the captain on the pitch, but Craig can also be the club captain, and I’m fine with that.” Hearts’ dismal form led to Steven Naismith’s dismissal after only six games of the season, with only one point earned from a draw at Rangers on the first day. Although temporary manager Liam Fox managed a late draw at home to Ross County, Critchley must improve Hearts’ form if they are to climb the ladder and have a chance of finishing in the top half by the season’s halfway point.

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