Latest news with #LawrenceShankland
BBC News
10 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Should Hearts' Shankland stay or should he go?
Heart of Midlothian travel to Spain for a pre-season training camp this weekend, just over two weeks out from their opening match of the new season against Dunfermline Athletic on 12 the travelling group, one name is conspicuous by its absence, that of talismanic striker Lawrence Shankland, whose contract with the club expires at the end of this month. Since Hearts brought Shankland back to Scotland in 2022, he has established himself as one of the most reliable goalscorers in Scotland's top has scored 68 goals in Hearts colours in 137 appearances across all competitions. There's an old adage about good strikers scoring one in two - and Shankland does that. That form, along with Shankland's contract situation, explains the long-standing speculation over the Scotland international. A mooted move to Rangers never transpired and links to West Bromwich Albion appear to have gone Hearts head coach Derek McInnes has made no secret of his desire to keep Shankland in Gorgie and tie him down to a new deal, with conversations between player and club is rife among Hearts supporters after Brighton and Hove Albion owner Tony Bloom completed a £9.86m deal to buy a 29% stake in the Edinburgh will Shankland hold out for a move to England or back overseas? Or will he want to be part of Bloom's "disruption" and lead the line in maroon again next season? Hearts can offer 'security' & ambition The fact that Shankland has not made it clear he is leaving is cause for optimism for both McInnes and Hearts is evidently and understandably excited at the prospect of working with the 29-year-old, but will Shankland sign on the dotted line to link up with the club's new team boss?Hearts will hope the chance to be part of their new project, with tried-and-tested performer McInnes in the dugout and Bloom's gravitas in the boardroom, is enough to persuade their star uncertainty over Shankland's future has been clouded further still as McInnes heads to Spain without him."I really feel Lawrence as part of a strong Hearts team can elevate himself," McInnes said earlier this week. "I think he's capable of scoring 25-30 goals a season in the right team and used in the right way."We can offer security. We can offer building a team and being part of a team that's trying to be successful."With Bloom aiming to "disrupt the pattern of domination which has been in place for far too long" in Scottish football, there is an expectation Hearts will attack the transfer Christian Borchgrevink, winger Alexandros Kyziridis, striker Claudio Braga, centre-half Stuart Findlay and midfielder Oisin McEntee have already signed in the early knockings of the window, while Elton Kabangu joined permanently after last season's loan the ambition of the McInnes-Bloom project, the prospect of playing under the immediate gaze of Scotland head coach Steve Clarke would be another perk of staying in Edinburgh for Shankland. Why do Hearts want to keep him? One word. Goals."When you get the ball into dangerous areas, Lawrence Shankland will score," former Hearts midfielder Michael Stewart said on Sportscene at the end of last season."A guy that is capable of banging in 20-plus goals a season doesn't grow on trees."Stewart is right. Shankland has passed the 20-goal mark in the Premiership twice in the past three seasons - no other player has done Furuhashi did it once for Celtic, Cyriel Dessers once for Rangers and Kevin van Veen once for Motherwell. Beyond that, Shankland brings experience and leadership, having captained Hearts during goalkeeper Craig Gordon's long injury has amassed more than 150 Premiership appearances in addition to 16 Scotland caps. Shankland 'looking to maximise earning potential' Had Shankland's contract expired 12 months prior, the suitors would have been piling up to sign him on a free given his goal-scoring feats in the 2023-24 season, during which he bagged 31 goals in all season just gone was less prolific and, as he approaches 30, Shankland is likely considering how many high-profile moves or high-paying contracts he has left in his career."He's at a stage in his career where he's looking to maximise his earning potential, which is completely understandable," Stewart explains why Hearts are yet to hear from him regarding the offer on the no deal has been done, suggesting any alternative offers received by Shankland were not to his liking. With pre-season about to get under way, things will come to a head in the coming Naismith, who was Hearts boss during Shankland's free-scoring 2023-24 season, added: "Like any player, there are more options when you're out of contract."It gives you a chance to sit and think what's best for you at this stage in your career, but he'll want it sorted before pre-season starts."
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shankland omitted from Hearts' Spanish training camp
Lawrence Shankland has been omitted from Heart of Midlothian's 28-man squad for their pre-season training camp in Spain. The 29-year-old Scotland striker is out of contract with the Scottish Premiership club but has been in talks about a new deal. Advertisement New head coach Derek McInnes said earlier this week that he hoped to speak to Shankland again on Tuesday and receive some "clarity" over Shankland's future "in the coming days". McInnes indicated that Hearts were hopeful of retaining the striker's services, especially as he had not indicated he was leaving Tynecastle. Hearts this week completed a £9.86m deal with Tony Bloom for the Brighton and Hove Albion owner to buy a 29% stake in the Edinburgh club. The Tynecastle club already had a formal relationship with Bloom's company Jamestown Analytics for recruitment. Shankland, who has 16 Scotland caps, joined Hearts from Belgian club Beerschot in 2022.
BBC News
13 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Shankland omitted from Hearts' Spanish training camp
Lawrence Shankland has been omitted from Heart of Midlothian's 28-man squad for their pre-season training camp in 29-year-old Scotland striker is out of contract with the Scottish Premiership club but has been in talks about a new head coach Derek McInnes said earlier this week that he hoped to speak to Shankland again on Tuesday and receive some "clarity" over Shankland's future "in the coming days".McInnes indicated that Hearts were hopeful of retaining the striker's services, especially as he had not indicated he was leaving this week completed a £9.86m deal with Tony Bloom for the Brighton and Hove Albion owner to buy a 29% stake in the Edinburgh Tynecastle club already had a formal relationship with Bloom's company Jamestown Analytics for who has 16 Scotland caps, joined Hearts from Belgian club Beerschot in 2022.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Hearts expect Shankland decision 'within days'
Heart of Midlothian head coach Derek McInnes believes there will be "clarity" over the future of captain Lawrence Shankland "in the coming days", with the Edinburgh club prepared for him either remaining or 29-year-old Scotland striker is a free agent and mulling over his next move, but McInnes is keen to extend his stay as he looks to rebuild and improve on their seventh-place finish last was planning further talks with Shankland on Tuesday and was optimistic of gaining a clear answer on whether he intends to extend his time at Tynecastle."Hopefully, the next time we speak, there might be a wee bit more clarity on it," the former Kilmarnock boss said at a Tuesday media conference. "I expect there to be a bit more clarity in the next few days. If it was a 'no', he'd have told us. I think he sees so many positives from re-signing at Hearts."Shankland, who joined Hearts from Belgian club Beerschot in 2022, was last season linked with Scottish Premiership rivals Rangers and could attract interest from English clubs and abroad."What we've all got to appreciate is, when a player runs his contract down, particularly good number nines, then sometimes there can be other things to consider," McInnes said."The conversations we've had with Lawrence is all about the benefits that we can give him as a club, but equally what he can give us. I'd love him to be part of that, I really would."Hearts have already made six signings this summer and McInnes is "still looking to try and identify one or two in key positions" but added that "we're not looking to do too much more in terms of ins".The manager explained that the squad is currently on the "top-heavy" side and there would likely be "a natural parting of the ways for some" when Hearts return from next week's pre-season trip to Spain.
Scotsman
5 days ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Hearts transfer work continues as Uchenna Ogundu reaches an agreement in Turkey
The Nigerian forward is close to signing for Alanyaspor Sign up to our Hearts newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Nigerian forward Uchenna Ogundu is set to stay in Turkey following transfer interest from various European clubs, including Hearts. The 19-year-old has a preliminary agreement to join Turkish Super Lig side Alanyaspor on a five-year contract after his exit from second division Sanliurfaspor. He is due for a medical there today. However, the decision will not deter Tynecastle officials in their attempts to strengthen attacking options. Head coach Derek McInnes regards signing a right-sided wide player a priority, with protracted negotiations for the Kazakhstan internationalist Islam Chesnokov still ongoing. Hearts have other targets for that position and are willing to move on alternatives in case Chesnokov's move does not reach a conclusion. As things stand, they are still determined to bring him to Edinburgh. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Tobol Kostanay player, 25, is out of contract in October and is willing to sign a pre-contract agreement to join Hearts at that point. However, Tynecastle officials want a quick deal this summer to avoid him arriving outwith a transfer window and being unable to register with the Scottish Football Association until January. Ogundu was another target identified by Hearts' recruitment data partner, Jamestown Analytics. He impressed with Sanliurfaspor during the second half of last season and attracted interest from Super Lig clubs Fenerbahce, Alanyaspor and Samsunspor. Hull City, Sturm Graz, Fortuna Sittard and Gornik Zabrze also monitored him. He moved to Turkey last August from Diamond Academy in his native Nigeria, scoring six goals and claiming two assists in 19 appearances for Sanliurfaspor since making his senior debut in January. His performances captured attention from scouts and his data ranked well with Jamestown. He is now preparing to continue his career in Turkey after reaching a verbal agreement with Alanyaspor over the weekend. Lawrence Shankland's Hearts future talks Hearts remain in discussions with striker Lawrence Shankland, whose future remains undecided after his Tynecastle contract expired earlier this week. McInnes has spoken with the Scotland internationalist several times, the latest being just a few days ago, in an effort to convince him to stay. Other clubs in England and abroad have been in contact with Shankland's representatives. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Lawrence has obviously got a lot to consider,' said McInnes in an interview with Sky Sports. 'We think we're a really strong option for him whether we're the best option in Lawrence's eyes, we've got to wait and see. But there'll come a point really that we need to draw a line under it and Lawrence has got to look after him and I've got to look after Hearts. Hopefully, we can find a solution because he is a player that I think can really thrive with us at Hearts. 'He's shown in the time here how important he is and you try and not let players like that leave the door without putting up the best fight you can and we're in the fight for him. I believe we're a really strong option for Lawrence. I believe we're the best option for him at this moment. He's got the World Cup to try and get involved in at the end of next season. If he can go score 25, at least 25 goals next season and I think it's a safe bet he'd be going to the World Cup with Scotland, so hopefully there's loads of reasons why Lawrence could see this as a good option for him. 'I always feel deadlines are not always healthy, they can sometimes be a bit antagonistic. There's been enough conversations with Lawrence. I'm due to speak to him again today and we'll see where we go with it. There will come a point where he has to move on and try and secure his future and likewise I need to make sure that we secure our squad going forward but we're not at that stage yet but sooner rather than later really to try and get that resolved because I want clarity in what I'm dealing with. I'm sure Lawrence is wanting clarity on his future as well.'
