Hearts manager Robbie Neilson says new signing Lawrence Shankland will be involved in next week's Premiership opener against Ross County.
The Scotland international signed from Belgian club Beerschot before Saturday's friendly against Stoke City, in which he netted his new club's two goals in the 2-1 win. Hearts begin their league season at Tynecastle next weekend and also have European group stage football to look forward to this season, and Neilson believes depth is key. Shankland is not guaranteed to start due to the competition for Hearts starting berths each week but his boss knows that if chances are created, he'll more than likely put at least one away.
He said: "I was delighted with Lawrence, I pushed and pushed to get Lawrence here and we finally got it over the line, which we were delighted with. You see both goals, the first was like a poachers finish and the second one was a great finish with great technique.
"Our job is to create chances for him and he’ll score goals. He will be involved, we’ve got a number of great players here so there is competition. He’s the guy who will be the ball in the back of the net.
"We have to help him and he has to help us. There are a lot of guys who’ll come in and out. You look at the subs who can come on.
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"They are top players. Gary Mackay-Steven was excellent when he came on, Jorge Grant. There is a lot of competition here now."
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