Lawrence Shankland: Have Rangers just signed Scotland’s World Cup number nine?

A goal involvement on average every 104.8 minutes at international level compares favourably with the other strikers in the Scotland squad.

Dykes averages a goal involvement every 205.4 minutes, Adams every 209 minutes and Hirst every 299 minutes. Stewart has only amassed 34 minutes of action in his two Scotland appearances and has not managed a goal, or an assist.

For a long time, Shankland was viewed as simply a goal-scorer. Not a bad reputation to have, but the sense was he was lacking in the other areas that Clarke in particular values so highly – work rate, occupying a defence, physicality and link-up play.

Over the last few seasons as Hearts captain has emerged a more rounded Shankland – a more complete striker and an effective leader.

“I first came across him as a forward here when I was a player and he was a finisher,” Naismith says.

“Not real game knowledge or intelligence or a real work rate. And I think, when I then worked with him as a coach, that is a massive change.

“His game intelligence and his finesse, it’s top level. And he’s not only done it when he’s been in a team that’s been winning 3-0. He’s done it in big, big moments.

“Another part that probably goes unnoticed is, his leadership skills are excellent. I remember when they played Holland (in 2024), he had a chance to shoot and he passed to big Scotty McTominay. I was at Hearts at the time and I texted him saying, ‘at Hearts, you shoot there’.

“But he probably wasn’t comfortable in this environment then. Now, I think he’s at the point where [he thinks], ‘no, I’ll do what I need to do to contribute for the team’.”