Lawrence Shankland or Bojan Miovski? It’s a debate that’s becoming more regular with every bulge of the net from either of Scotland’s hottest strikers.
Steven Naismith this week dubbed the Hearts skipper the best striker in the country after he hit his 50th Jambos goal in just his 79th game. Twenty-four hours earlier Naisy’s opposite number at Aberdeen, Neil Warnock, claimed after one game in charge that that tag belongs with his number nine Miovski.
It’s a brilliant talker and so refreshing for the Scottish game because when was the last time this question was asked and neither of the top two candidates were at the Old Firm? Not in my lifetime. But those two are streets ahead of everyone else this season and nobody can argue with that. Last year Kyogo was the main man but it’s just not happening for the Celtic striker this season. Whereas every time Shankland or Miovski step on a pitch, against any opposition, you fancy them to score.
Back to the question though and I don’t think anyone will be surprised by my answer. Shanks is number one. Listen, Miovski is a very good striker and anyone who can notch against the Old Firm regularly is worth their weight in gold.
Both Shankland and Miovski have done it regularly - in fact both have netted twice against both Celtic and Rangers this season. They’re two different types of strikers. Miovski is an athlete and a strong runner. He is also a very good finisher.
But Shankland is on a different level. An out and out goalscorer. Look at his strike against St Johnstone on Wednesday. Unbelievable. His touch, strength, finish - brilliant.
I was at the game against Aberdeen the other week and his goal with the outside of his foot was incredible. But he’s in such good form that I was out of my seat celebrating before anyone else because I just knew it was going in.
Fifty goals in 79 games for Hearts is ridiculous. It’s John Robertson territory and that’s a comparison that can never be made lightly around Gorgie. Only once did Robbo get 50 goals across two seasons - in 1986/87 and 1987/88 - but Shankland looks like he’s going to get 60. At least.
Which makes me think he might have a tougher decision to make than anyone realises if a big club came calling in the summer. Why? Because I’d say to him that not many footballers in their lifetime have the chance to go on and become proper legends at a club where they have a special affiliation with the fans. Lawrence has that at Tynecastle right now.
We all know how well Robbo is thought of. His picture and name is everywhere you look around Gorgie Road. Lawrence has the opportunity to get himself into that kind of folklore. His story is actually really inspiring.
You have to remember he was looking at getting a job with DPD parcel service when he left Aberdeen before joining Ayr United just over six years ago. Even there he’d struggle to deliver with the regularity he is producing at Hearts. In all seriousness that situation shines a light on his desire, determination and hunger to get back to the top.
I remember the same when I went to Ayr. My time there was unbelievable. I walked in for training on a Tuesday and Thursday and saw my team mates arriving from building sites and other places of work.
That grounded me. I think the same happened with Lawrence. Now you see him captaining Hearts, leading the Premiership scoring charts, scoring for Scotland and surely being first in line for a place on the plane to the European Championships in the summer.
Yet not so long ago he was looking at getting a delivery job. What an inspiration for boys currently playing in the Championship and League One.
Shankland will make his decision on his future when the time is right. Hearts are a massive club. I imagine the new contract he was offered will be worth good money. So there’s so much to ponder.
He might not have signed that deal but Hearts fans will just be delighted he’s still in the building. Even £5million wouldn’t have swayed me into letting him go, he’s that important.
The biggest compliment I can pay him is that most players - certainly myself included - would have had their head swayed by the speculation in January. But forget faltering, he actually got better. He’ll be crucial again against Airdrie on Sunday.
This is a huge game for Hearts and Naismith will know it. The Scottish Cup is their best chance of silverware and all they need to concentrate on is getting through.
Who cares if it’s not pretty? Right now they keep finding a way to win and that’s what makes a good team. More often than not that ‘way’ comes from their talismanic number nine.
They can bank on Shanks. And that’s why they must fancy their chances of going all the way.
