If Hearts want to strike it rich then they can’t cash in on prize asset Lawrence Shankland.
I know the striker has been linked with clubs in England and Saudi Arabia but the Jambos can’t afford to let him go. He netted 28 goals last season and already has four goals in five games in this campaign. He’s a big part of this team. Shankland’s goal in Trondheim then the leveller at Tynecastle against Rosenborg were massive in helping Hearts get through in the Europa Conference League.
I know Cammy Devlin scored the goals that won the tie but Shankland’s importance to the team is vital and can’t be underplayed or estimated. He will be massive in the two games against PAOK as well. His goal last week against Rosenborg was massive. There was a defensive error but he was so sharp to get on to it and under pressure he dinked it over the keeper. There are not many players in those circumstances who would have remained so cool and calm.
The hardest thing in football is scoring goals. Shankland does that and has done it throughout his career. If you have a guy who can score 20-plus goals a season you could only imagine the massive hole he’d leave if Hearts were to lose him.
He is also club captain and the way he lives his life on and off the park he is a role model for all the younger boys and fans. It’s vital we do try and keep him. When you get linked with clubs from Saudi Arabia it can be a bit daunting with the finances they have on offer. They can blow everybody out of the water.
I’d be quietly confident that Shankland will remain at Hearts. I don’t see him going there. Also, he has already been abroad in Belgium and it didn’t really work out for him. Would he want to go away again? I’m not so sure. I wouldn’t want to let him go and I’m sure Stevie Naismith and every Hearts fan will feel exactly the same.
Hearts face two massive play-off games against PAOK. These are the sort of European games you go to a club like Hearts to be involved in. I’m trying not to tempt fate. I said before the Rosenborg game that although they’re not the side they once were they are still a decent side.
What Hearts did on Thursday night was amazing. What they did in both legs over Rosenborg was amazing, especially going the goal down at Tynecastle and then coming back! They were outstanding.
Partick Thistle was another tough game coming from the high of Europe but they dealt with it. Now they have PAOK at home on Thursday.
It would be important for Hearts to get a positive result but it’s not the be-all and end-all. It’s over two ties and what you do over the two games. Tynecastle will be rocking and that will be a big advantage to this Hearts team. The atmosphere was incredible last week and it will be the same way in this game.
Everyone will be excited but as players you have to enjoy the experience. I’m half-expecting Hearts to win but at the same time it’s Europe and it’s always going to be difficult.
I’m just hoping they can keep doing what they are doing and get into the group stages. If you think back to a few years ago and where the club was then, there are so many positives so this game is one to really look forward to.
The last week or so has been brilliant for the club. It’s about enjoying it and hopefully they can now push on and get through and get to the group stages.
It’s a massive game for everyone, including the fans. That is where Hearts should be, in Europe and competing in these massive games. It’s what the club, the players and the fans want. It’s where they want to be every year and to build on these occasions.
This is what Hearts are all about. You expect Rangers and Celtic to be in the group stages every season and that’s the level Hearts want to get to.
The club made something like £3million from the group stages last season so if Hearts could now go and make it two seasons in a row then it would be absolutely tremendous. It then becomes a habit and the club can then continue to build and build.
I’m excited about it. It could be the start of another special period for Hearts, especially if you look back at the European run last season. If Naismith and Frankie McAvoy’s players could get back into the group stages then there would be so much to look forward to on the maroon side of the capital.
