Lee McCulloch reckons Lawrence Shankland is a better player now than the one he worked with at Dundee United.
The Scotland international joined Hearts this week on a three-year deal. A year-long stint in Belgium was brought to an end after Germinal Beerschot suffered relegation from the Belgian Pro League. They paid £1million to take Shankland from Tannadice last summer, but now he’s back in the Scottish Premiership with the Jambos.
After Ellis Simms’ loan spell ended and he returned to Everton, with the chance of bringing him back for a second stint slim, Robbie Neilson moved to sign Shankland as his new number nine. That should ease the load on Liam Boyce ’s shoulders. The Northern Irishman has been the Tynecastle team’s top scorer in the last few seasons, but was heading into this season as the only senior striker on the books, with youngster Euan Henderson as back up.
