Robbie Neilson tonight backed Lawrence Shankland to keep on scoring after the striker became the first Hearts player to score 20 goals in a season since Tynecastle legend John Robertson 31 years ago.
Scotland internationalist netted the Gorgie club’s second in their hard-fought 3-0 triumph over Hibs in the Scottish Cup fourth round match at Easter Road this afternoon before being sent off for a second bookable offence.
Neilson was unhappy at his captain being red carded by referee Don Robertson – but he has been delighted with the forward’s form up front during the 2022/23 campaign and fully expects it to continue.
He revealed that Robertson had contacted him after the final whistle looking for the former Ayr United and Dundee United player’s telephone number so that he could congratulate him.
“The first guy to text me was Robbo looking for Shanks’s number,” he said. “Whether that’s to congratulate or warn him, I don’t know! We’ll need to wait and see!
“Seriously, though, it’s brilliant for him, brilliant. But it just shows how long it’s been. I think it’s 31 years since someone hit 20 and that shows how hard it is. He’s been outstanding.
“But I always knew bringing Lawrence here, having had him at Dundee United before and seen him at Ayr United, that he scores goals. It’s up to us to create them and we’ve managed to do that. I think he’ll go on to score more. Can he get to 30?”
Asked about Shankland’s sending off, Neilson said: “I’m disappointed with that. I didn’t think there was any contact. But we can’t appeal it so there’s not much we can do.”
Neilson, who watched proceedings from the stand due to a suspension, savoured his first Edinburgh derby victory at Easter Road today 22 years after making his debut in the fixture as Hearts stretched their unbeaten run to nine games.
“It was fine,” he said. “I’ve done it a few times. I don’t mind. Lee and Gordon (assistants McCulloch and Forrest) were running things down on the bench and the players know what they need to do. It was fine.
“I’m delighted, but ultimately for me it’s just about beating Hibs. It’s for the fans. We had 3,500 fans here today. We all know league form goes out the window in these games and it’s all about what happens in 90 minutes. We’ve managed to get it here. It’s been a while since we have won here so it’s nice to get it done.”
Neilson added: “It’s always difficult when you come to your main rivals in the early rounds. Obviously, getting through is the main thing.
“Performance-wise, 3-0 potentially flattered us a wee bit. But I think the game was pretty tight. It was a close game. They hit the post early doors, if that goes in it changes the game. But all in all the most important thing is to be in the hat and we are.
“I don’t think there was a lot of quality in the game, passing-wise, possession-wise or movement-wise. But I think it came down to three moments of quality.
“It was a great result. Not the kind of performance we’re looking for, but we’re not going to be that bothered because it’s about being in the next round.”
