Hearts expect Shankland decision ‘within days’

Over the future of captain Lawrence Shankland, according to Heart of Midlothian head coach Derek McInnes, “clarity will be” with the Edinburgh club prepared for him to either remain or leave.

The 29-year-old Scotland striker is a free agent and considering his next move, but McInnes wants to see Shankland stay as he rebuilds and improves Hearts’ seventh-place finish last season.

McInnes stated at a media conference on Tuesday that “we are scheduled to speak again today.”

Hearts “would like to try to find a way” to keep Shankland, according to McInnes.

We’re just trying to anticipate both eventualities, he said, “from our perspective.”

“We will reap the rewards of Lawrence’s commitment,” he said. He must weigh a lot of things for both his family.

“Hopefully, by the conversation today, we’ll know where it’s at a better time. There is enough to be excited about this season, even if Lawrence won’t be with us this season, which is of course disappointing.

“We’re working on a fantastic project right now, and we’ll just try to find solutions,” Lawrence says. He isn’t at this time. In the upcoming days, I anticipate there will be a little more clarity.

McInnes was eager to point out that Shankland’s continued employment at Tynecastle would have had the ability to gain from leaving.

He admitted that he would have told us if it had been a no, he continued.

“I do believe that he sees a lot of benefits from leaving Hearts,” but what we all need to remember is that sometimes when a player runs his contract down, especially when he’s one of the good number nines, other things can be taken into account.

Shankland, who left Belgian side Beerschot for Hearts in 2022, was linked with Scottish Premiership rival Rangers last year, and he may find interest from English clubs and other countries.

“I really believe Lawrence can elevate himself,” McInnes said. In the right team and with the right strategy, he could easily score 25 to 30 goals per season, according to him.

“We can provide security,” he said. We can provide the benefits of creating a team and being a part of it.

McInnes thinks Shankland is aware that Hearts’ goalkeeping will keep him in Scotland’s plans, according to McInnes.

This summer, Hearts has already signed six players, and McInnes is “still looking to try and identify one or two key positions,” he continued, “we’re not looking to do too much in terms of ins.”