Lawrence Shankland relaxed about the future after another impressive campaign

Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland is relaxed about his future as he heads towards a pivotal summer.

Shankland has been named on the shortlist for the PFA Scotland Premiership Player of the Year award following a season which has seen him score 28 goals for Hearts and one for Scotland.

The 28-year-old is well clear in the race to be Premiership top goalscorer with 21 league goals and looks certain to be involved in Steve Clarke’s Euro 2024 squad.

With a season left on his Tynecastle deal, there is bound to be interest in the former Ayr and Dundee United attacker in the summer and Shankland anticipates both himself and his club will have some decisions to make.

“Conversations will probably be had in the summer,” he said. “I am getting into the last year of my contract at Hearts and there is always speculation at those times.

“There will come a time when conversations need to be had but for now everything is still running smoothly. I am comfortable with the position, the club are the same, so we will see what the summer brings.

“As it is now, the contract talks have stopped. They stopped in January. We had a conversation and we just decided we would move on and reassess it in the summer. That’s where it is at and everybody is comfortable with it.

“I am (relaxed about it). I have had conversations with the manager and everybody is open about the situation. There will come a time where the conversation will need to be had again but until then we will just let it lie.”

When asked if transfer speculation in January was hard to deal with, Shankland said: “It wasn’t that tough to be honest. It’s just noise and I just solely focus on my football. That’s something I have always done. Speculation is there and it’s a sign you are doing your job well at your club.”

Clarke recently praised Shankland for improving his all-round game while maintaining his prolific record in front of goal.

Shankland said: “Goals are about being in the right position and I have always had that knack, since I was younger. Goalscoring has always been a good part of my game.

“It was other parts that people were looking for me to go and improve.

“I have just looked to add that. I have played slightly different roles as well for Hearts position-wise and I have probably just added to my game all round, and it has all just come together.”