Lawrence Shankland has finally explained the photo of him in a Hearts kit as a kid that’s been doing the rounds for years.
The Scotland striker will now pull on the maroon as the Jambos’ new number nine after penning a three-year deal. The Tynecastle club have paid an undisclosed fee to bring him back to the Scottish Premiership from Beerschot in Belgium, where he headed last summer in a £1million move from Dundee United.
The internet consensus was that Shankland must have been a childhood Jambo after the photo started doing the rounds online. But he was actually part of the club’s academy from a young age before leaving before he hit his teens. Shankland went pro with Aberdeen, but didn't quite make the first team breakthrough on a regular basis at Pittodrie. He joined Ayr United permanently after a loan spell at St Mirren and he hit the goal trail at Somerset Park, eventually earning a switch to Dundee United, where he first linked up with Neilson.
“I was in the academy from when I was seven until I was around 12, I think,” he explained. “That was years ago and I had a bit of a barnet back then! It’s nice that that picture is coming around again for me. I’ve got fond memories. I enjoyed it as a kid and hopefully I can bring success to the first team now.”
Shankland endured a tough time in Belgium. Beerschot were relegated from the Belgian Pro League last summer, but he insists there are still plenty of plusses from his time on the continent that can stand him in good stead now he’s back.
“It was a tough last season there, obviously,” he told Hearts TV. “It wasn’t a very good one for the team but it got to the point where I just had to concentrate on myself individually and take as much as I could out of the season.
“I played quite a lot of games in the end and got a fair bit of experience. I scored a few goals against good teams as well so there are a few positives to take. Hopefully I can bring all those back here and implement them into this Hearts team.”
The Dundee United connection was key to getting this deal done. Shankland helped fire the Tangerines to the premiership in 2019/20, ironically replacing Hearts in the top flight.
There has been constant contact with neilson, as well as assistants Lee mcCulloch and Gordon Forrest, which only intensified when it became clear that a transfer could be on the cards.
“I had a good relationship with the manager and the staff when I was at Dundee United and kept in touch with them throughout,” Shankland said. “They were messaging me when I left to go over there, wishing me all the best.
“Eventually they started speaking to my representatives to say they’d like to bring me here. As soon as I heard they were interested, it made me very keen to come here. Not only because of them, but with it being Hearts. It’s a massive club and I was looking to get it done.
“They didn’t need to pitch it to me. I was a part of it when I was a kid and enjoyed it so was keen on the chance to come back. It was a successful season last year and we have European football, so it wasn’t a hard sell at all.
“When I looked at it from the outside, everything seemed to be heading in the right direction and it’s a really good time to join the club. I was excited at the prospect of joining and just really happy to be here.”
Surprisingly, Shankland has only run out onto the Tynecastle turf once, He did manage to find the net in a Premier Sports Cup game back in 2020 though, and hopes he can keep up his 100 per cent ration at the Gorgie ground,
He said: “I’ve only actually played at Tynecastle once. I always seemed to miss them, playing in different leagues and competitions. The one time I did play, I scored for the opposition! If I can keep that record going, it will be good for me. It’s a great stadium with a great atmosphere and I can't wait to get out there.”
There will be familiar faces on the pitch as well as in the dugout. Shankland also teams up with Alan Forrest once again after the pair developed a fruitful understanding at Ayr.
He added: “Wee Al’s here. Big lewis Neilson as well, I was at United with him. I know a fair few of the boys and they’ve all been very welcoming. But especially wee Al, it’s nice to see him!”
READ NEXT:
