Lawrence Shankland admits being handed the captain's armband at Hearts became a catalyst for hitting the heights with club and country.
The Scotland striker enjoyed a stunning first season with the Jambos by netting 28 goals in 47 appearances which has been rewarded with a recall into Steve Clarke's national squad for this month's European qualifiers against Norway and Georgia. Former Tynecastle boss Robbie Neilson placed his trust in the former Ayr United hitman by naming him as skipper after a season ending injury to Craig Gordon back in December and the 27-year-old has remained on-field leader under newly appointed gaffer Steven Naismith.
Shankland is currently at Scotland's training camp in Spain and he believes the responsibility of leading out Hearts has been a transforming part of a career resurgence. He said: “It was a really strong season for me. My performances were at a high standard and I was really happy with them.
"The number of goals I managed to chip in with was great. It was obviously my first season at Hearts so it was good to get off to a good start. The captaincy was an opportunity which came about, I probably didn't expect it when I first went there.
"When it was offered to me, I was keen to take on that role. I felt it was something that could improve my all-round game and improve me as a person. I felt I took it in my stride really well and handled it. It was a huge learning opportunity for me and hopefully it stands me in good stead for the future."
Shankland became the first Hearts player to score 20 goals in a season since that landmark was last hit by club legend John Robertson and the recruit from Belgian side Beerschot last summer admits his career has been a slow burner of a career which hit bumps on the road. After being released by Aberdeen six years ago, the former Queens Park player was without a club before landing a contract at Ayr United.
It was then on to Dundee United but that triumph over adversity has been the making of a player who insists a Scotland cap was the last thought on his mind as he struggled to remain in full-time football. He said: “There have been a lot of rejections on the way but it comes down to hard work and determination.
"You know your own goals and what you want to achieve in your career. Obviously there are times, like at Ayr, when I couldn't really have dreamed of getting a Scotland cap. You just need to knuckle down, keep working hard, and when you work hard enough things pay off and you get these opportunities.
“I've taken most of them first-time and done well at all different clubs. It has been an up-and-down journey but I've worked hard and feel I deserve the stuff that comes your way. I was three months without a club and then the opportunity to go to Ayr came up and I was ready for it. I was fit and kept myself busy. When I got there, I made sure it paid off. I did really well when I was there.”
Shankland made a substitute appearance during Scotland's recent win over Spain at Hampden in a Euro qualifier and admits he's desperate to add to his five international appearances when the dark blues meet Norway in Oslo next Saturday. He said: “It was a historic result for the fans and the country against Spain and to be part of that is huge.
“It’s always an honour to get on the pitch no matter how long you play and to be involved in a game like that was great. To be fair I knew my job, we had the 2-0 lead and my job was straight forward, I kept it nice and simple. I got a chance but never managed to score but it was nice to get in the opposition half for a bit.”
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