Hearts’ Lawrence Shankland eyes summer contract ‘conversations’

Head coach Steven Naismith had later explained he wanted to park speculation about Shankland’s future so he and the squad could concentrate on finishing the season on a high.

“Conversations will probably be had in the summer,” he said. “I am going into the last year of my contract at Hearts and there’s always speculation kicking around at those times.

“So there will come a time when conversations will need to be had, but for now everything’s still running smoothly.”

Rangers were among clubs linked with Shankland in the media during January despite Hearts saying there had been no interest in the striker.

“It’s just noise,” Shankland said. “I just solely focused on my football. Speculation there is a sign you’re doing well at your club.”

Shankland, meanwhile, is aiming to maintain his form in the final four Scottish Premiership games as he eyes a place in Scotland’s Euro 2024 finals squad.

“It is on the horizon, so it’s hard not to think about it, but you just need to concentrate on your club football and keeping your form up,” he added.

“It gives you that wee added bonus that you’ve got something to aim for at the end of the season.”