Lawrence Shankland on Rangers test and Euro 2024 draw

Lawrence Shankland may not have got on the score sheet himself but the Hearts skipper did have a big hand in the only goal of the game, drilling a low pass across the face of goal that Killie goalkeeper Will Dennis inadvertantly turned into his own net.

The Scotland internationalist spoke to the media after the match when he was asked about the team's upturn in form on the road, playing on a difficult surface, Wednesday's match against Rangers, and Scotland's draw for next summer's European Championships.

Here's everything Shankland had to say: 

READ MORE: Hearts instant analysis: Winning ugly is beautiful as Naismith's men move into third

Will you be claiming the goal?

I don’t think the goalie wants it, to be fair, so I will take it. Whoever it’s awarded to, I’m just glad the goal was the winner.

Did you give him the eyes, is that what it is?

If you say so. It is what it is.

A good win for you today?

It is, yes. It’s a tough place to come. Kilmarnock make you defend and they are good at it. That’s how they get success, particularly at home. It’s a result we can be proud of. We stood up to it in the second half and we defended when we needed to. We were solid and we found a way to win the game and that’s important.

That’s four wins in a row now and you’re up to third, it’s quite a positive time?

It is, yes. We have built up a bit of momentum and things are going well at the minute. Results have been good and that’s the main thing.

It must be encouraging as a striker knowing that you have got a solid defensive unit behind you?

I think it’s important for everyone in the team to be doing their defensive duties. That includes me at the top end of the pitch. We have been doing it really well as a team, set plays and stuff. There’s a lot of positives in terms of that side of our game and we can be proud because it’s hard work.

Do you think the team are starting to find consistency?

I think results show that. That’s four wins on the trot now. That shows we are starting to find the way to win games and to do it regularly. That’s important that week in week out you are finding ways to win football matches.

You’ve got Rangers at home next, that will be a big test.

It will be a tough game as will every fixture we have got in December. But it’s one we can look forward to. We are going into it with positive results and good form.

READ MORE: Steven Naismith: 4 Hearts win in a row shouldn't be a big deal, Vargas & Boyce update

Were you getting a bit of stick from the Killie fans at the end?

Yes. There were a few people throwing diving shouts about. I think I got one foul in 90 minutes so I don’t know where they are getting that from. Listen, I was at Ayr and I did really well there so I don’t think they are big fans of me down here. I don’t mind it. It was a bit of banter, to be honest. The guy was raging. To be fair he’d sat there in the freezing cold and wanted to give me a bit. Fair play!

It’s not the surface to dive on today, is it?

Exactly. It’s solid at the best of times never mind when it is frozen. But it was just a bit of banter. There was nothing in it.

Did you find it difficult to play on the surface?

It can be. I think it’s evident in the number of people who are slipping when going for balls. It can be hard to read at times. But it’s been here for years now and you just have to deal with it on the day, whether it’s in the summer and it’s really dry or if it’s really slippy. It’s a mixed bag, what you get with it. But I felt we dealt with it well. We probably had to play a little more safe than usual and get rid of things at times and try to play in the opposition half. I think it was a factor in the quality of the game in total but we can leave here happy. We got the result we came here for.

Looking ahead to the Rangers game, is that the next step for the team to make a big statement win against one of the Old Firm?

Of course, they are probably the big statement games in terms of what people look at from the outside but for us this is statement result coming away from home. Last year our form wasn't very good away from home but we seem to have turned that this year, that's four away wins that we didn't get last year. That's important but we will approach every game the same and we've got a lot of tough ones coming up but we can look forward to Wednesday.

READ MORE: Why Lawrence Shankland is not looking at Euro 2024 as Hearts remain sole focus

Can you put the improvement in the away form down to anything?

Nah. To be honest, I couldn't. It's not like we weren't trying last year. There were probably a lot of draws last year where we couldn't get the goal to win the game or get ourselves ahead and I think the type of games like Saturday if you can get yourself ahead it gives you something to hold out for and I thought we did that really well.

Everything you are doing is focused on getting into the Scotland squad?

It could be, aye, but it is absolutely miles away for me. I will stick to the here and now and try to perform for Hearts, better than the second half on Saturday hopefully! If I can keep performing or getting myself on the score sheet it gives me the best chance when that comes round. But it's really long down the road and will deal with it at the time.

READ MORE: How Hearts continue to change opinion and now ready for next step to end hoodoos

Does the draw make it feel real?

Of course. You know the opposition at the tournament. That is something I will let all you get excited about but I will just deal with football just now and when the time comes I'll deal with it.

Did you look at the pots and think we can get 'that one, that one, that one?'

I actually haven't. I wasn't even meant to be in the last squad so I don't look ahead too much! Just go with the flow.

Have you got a squad WhatsApp group?

I've not been on my phone and wouldn't be telling you anyway!