Neil McCann reckons Hearts need to “handcuff” Lawrence Shankland and make him the club’s highest paid player amid links to Rangers.
The Scotland international hitman, 28, has once again made headlines with a stunning last minute winner against Hibs at Easter Road – his 10th Premiership strike in 11 games.
With Rangers on the hunt for a new hitman this January there continues to be plenty of speculation surrounding Shankland, who is a boyhood bluenose.
After the striker’s latest heroics, Neil McCann has been talking about Lawrence Shankland and claims Hearts must go all out to convince the striker his future lies in Edinburgh.
Neil McCann urges new Lawrence Shankland contract
Speaking to BBC Sportscene, Neil McCann reckons Lawrence Shankland is a prime Hearts asset and the club must tie him down on a longer deal than his current 18 months.
The former Ibrox winger also reckons the ex-Dundee United hitman is irreplaceable if the Jambos let Shankland go this January.
“I would be flabbergasted if Hearts don’t want to show their intention here to their own fans, to their own club,” said McCann.
“Steven Naismith is talking about ‘need to compete’, ‘it’s a process that’s moving forward in the right trajectory’, ‘seven wins out of nine’.
“But if you lose your marksman, the house of cards falls down. I don’t think they can replace him, I really don’t.
“I know there’s Kevin van Veen’s going about, he might be free, but I think they need to get this guy (Shankland) in a room, handcuff him to the room and make him the highest paid player at the club.”
Rangers-linked Hearts striker coy on future
Neil McCann isn’t the only one discussing Lawrence Shankland’s contract situation either, with the striker himself pressed after the win over Hibs.
Explaining that he’s got 18 months left on his current deal, the hitman was in sarcastic mood when asked about potential discussions.
“Obviously 18 months is a long time, especially in football,” said Shankland. “When the club feel like it’s time for that to happen they’ll approach me.
“But listen, the now, things are going well, I’m enjoying my football, I’m playing well, so I think it would be daft to look at it any other way.
“I’m under contract here and I’ve got 18 months left so I wouldn’t have much of a choice if they pulled me in the meeting room!
“That’s it! But listen, I’m fully focused on my football at the minute, I’m scoring goals and that’s all I can concentrate on
Rangers continue to be linked with a move for Lawrence Shankland with Hearts manager Steven Naismith admitting the Jambos are braced for January interest.
Lawrence Shankland has scored 43 goals in 72 appearances in Gorgie and Rangers are currently on the hunt for a hitman amid a series of injury problems in the club’s squad.
Hearts CEO Andrew McKinlay has previously claimed only an “extraordinary” offer would tempt the Tynecastle side to sell.
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