Before today, Lawrence Shankland had one goal in one appearance at Tynecastle. He now has three in two, all of them coming for Robbie Neilson sides.
He marked his Hearts debut with a brace to beat Stoke City 2-1 in Gary Locke's testimonial. Aside from the goals, it was a pretty quiet 90 minutes from Shankland, but that's exactly what the new number nine has been brought in to do; score goals. He'll get sharper as he gets more minutes in his legs and becomes accustomed to how the Jambos play. Being familiar. with the manager and both of his assistants will help massively in that regard, as well the increased service he'll get in comparison to ploughing a lone furrow for a Micky Mellon Dundee United side that wasn't big on chance creation.
A solid first start from defender Kye Rowles was another plus as Neilson tried out a new back three. The Aussie looked assured despite not much n the way of regular football recently.
He filled a couple of different positions within the back three and looks a shrewd addition, with Craig Halkett being asked to play differently to last season and Stephen Kingsley doing what he's done since signing on a free two years ago.
A proper number nine
The first since John Robertson? It's far too early to make comparisons to Hearts' greatest ever league goalscorer, but Lawrence Shankland looks every inch the poacher the Jambos have been missing in recent years. His link up play wasn't quite up to scratch, with a few first half passes going astray. But he was playing on the shoulder constantly and getting into good areas when the ball went into the box.
His first Hearts goal was a real striker's goal too. Atkinson did well to think quickly after the ball hit the corner flag before he teed up Forrest. His shot may not have gone in, but Shankland reacted instinctively and adjusted his body shape to change the trajectory of the ball and ensure he diverted it past Bursik
Know your Rowles
The Aussie will need some time to get used to how Hearts play, but looked assured on the left-hand side of a back three. He said this week he's a player that likes to get stuck in, and one thumping 50-50 challenge in the first half illustrated that as he stopped a Stoke attack and came away with possession.
Moved into the centre of defence in the second in a swap for Kingsley and repelled most of what came his way. Was almost punished by Dwight Gayle for one slack pass, but his versatility with the back three should prove useful this season.
Filling Soapy's shoes
Craig Halkett has taken John Souttar's old number four shirt, and he was in the same position usually occupied by the now Rangers player. Usually deployed in the centre of the back three last term, Halkett started on the right of the trio against Stoke.. His job was mainly winning the ball and defending areas, but was tasked with bringing the ball out from the back and supporting Nate Atkinson. He's shown before his ability to stride forward and get Hearts going, and did it a couple of times this afternoon.
He doesn't have Souttar's range of passing, but he can find teammates when breaking the lines, and his powerful running and strength make him a hard man to stop at full gallop. He'll likely move back into the middle if either Kingsley or Rowles are unavailable or the former is needed at left wing back, but Toby Sibbick may have a fight on his hands for a regular start on the right of defence.
Cochrane in control
The left wing back was a constant thorn in Stoke's side. Both goals may have come down the right, but it was the former Brighton man who was causing most of the problems for the Potters.
Countless times he either beat his man or found himself in space on the opposite flank, and on another day could have left the pitch with a couple of assists to his name. His delivery was good, as was his awareness of when to cross and when to recycle possession. There's no questions about his stamina as he got up and down all day before switching to left centre back as Hearts made a few changes in personnel.
A Mick of all trades
Michael Smith has played just about every position for Hearts bar goalkeeper and up front. The experienced Northern Irishman was back into the middle of the park alongside Peter Haring from the start.
And he proved again that he'll do a job no matter where Neilson decides to play him. He's not as dynamic as some of his colleagues, but knows where to be and when to pass the ball forward, breaking the lines on a few occasions. Neilson is in the market for another midfielder, but it may not be a priority given Smith can fill in there with Haring, Cammy Devlin, Jorge Grant and Andy Halliday also options until Beni Baningime is fit again.
Pollock's pick out
The youngster impressed during pre-season last year after Robbie Neilson gave the then 16-year-old a chance to show what he can do. He hasn't been as prominent 12 months on, but did his chances of continued first team involvement no harm with a fine cameo off the bench against Stoke.
Twice he set up Shankland after taking up good positions on the right hand side. The first saw the striker's effort saved, but the second resulted in the clinching second goal. Pollock showed good skill to go past his man and hit the byline, then astute awareness to pull the ball back for Shankland, who netted at the second attempt.
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