Former Hearts forward Ryan Stevenson believes Lawrence Shankland can beat those at Celtic and Rangers to the Premiership's golden boot with his Tynecastle transfer.
The Scotland international has spent the last year at Belgian club Beerschot - scoring four times - and is set to complete a reunion with Tynecastle boss Robbie Neilson. Both worked closely together at Dundee United where Shankland netted 28 times during their 2019/20 Championship-winning season and could embark on a European group stage adventure together in Gorgie.
Stevenson believes that with Rangers' Alfredo Morelos injured and no clear starting striker present at Celtic, Shankland has the chance to step up and become the Premiership's top talisman at Hearts. He wrote in his Daily Record column: "With the chances that will be created for him, he can score more goals than he’s ever scored in his career so far. His predatory inside the penalty box, he’s at a club now with a style of play which is about attack after attack.
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"If I was Shankland and had his ability then I’d back myself to become the Premiership’s top marksman this season.
"Alfredo Morelos has been injured at Rangers and Celtic don’t have an out and out striker, there’s a gap in that market. He’s shown that knack for scoring goals at every club he’s been with in recent years.
"This is a significant and shrewd signing, it’s also been done nice and quietly in keeping with the calmness we now see in the business dealings at Tynecastle these days. It’s a drama-free zone and a great bit of business."
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