Hearts boss Robbie Neilson has confirmed Lawrence Shankland will skipper the side for the rest of the season in the absence of club captain Craig Gordon.
Gordon suffered a season ending injury during last Saturday's Scottish Premiership draw with Dundee United after a double leg break. Wednesday night's win over St Johnstone was the first game since the Jambos goalkeeper has been sidelined and Shankland was perhaps a surprising choice to have the armband. But with Craig Halkett and Stephen Kingsley also absent, Neilson has explained the Scotland cap has all the attributes to be a perfect leader on the pitch.
Neilson said: “Lawrence is a leader within the group. I think there is an opportunity with him to develop further. Craig Gordon will remain the club captain but we need an on-field captain, day-to-day and on the pitch and that will be Lawrence. I spoke to a few of the senior players and he was the main candidate for us.
