Lawrence Shankland is the man of the moment at Tynecastle Park. In fact, he has been the man of the season at Heart of Midlothian.

Ahead of the Ross County clash he spoke about his goal against Hibs, his performance as a whole, Zander Clark's role and, of course, his future.

READ MORE: The key factors in Hearts derby win: Cochrane, Beni role, 0.06 Shankland shot

Talk us through that moment... What was going through your mind?

It was a long punt up the pitch. To be honest, I had my back turned to the ball and it just dropped. I was one-on-one and it was about getting my shot away. I probably couldn't have picked a better spot to put it, to be honest, just shifted it onto my left and put it in the top corner. A great feeling.

It was a game low in quality did you think it was heading towards the inevitable draw?

It wasn't great. Personally, I wasn't great at all, either. I wasn't happy with my performance either but it was all about getting that one moment. Obviously missing the penalty early in the game was disappointing but it was about just getting one chance. I had one not long before the end where I fired it off Marsh's chest with my left foot but it was a decent strike, I got it on target. If I could just get one more hopefully I would stick it away. When it is that late in the game it is a great feeling.

The manager has mentioned there are factors which might influence you in the next six months, the Euros, the fact the fans love you, you're scoring goals, you are happy in the team. Are those factors you are seriously taking into consideration?

That's it, aye. I've always said when I deal with speculation I deal with the here and now. For me, I just look at it that it is a sign I'm doing well. There's never speculation when you are not doing so well so it's a good thing for me that people are talking about me in a positive manner. It shows I'm doing well at my club and that I'm scoring goals. That's honestly as far as I look at it. If it comes about that's when I'll sit down and talk about it but until then I've got 18 months on my contract, I'm happy here, enjoying it, I'm scoring goals. That's honestly as far as I'm looking at it. 

Your manager said you are pretty much a legend already at the club. Is there going to be a lounge named after you, maybe a stand if you stay longer?

Nah, I wouldn't say that! That status is for other people to speak about you that way. I'd never put that label on myself. I think you need to be winning trophies and stuff like that to pass that barrier. Hopefully that is something I can do while I am here. Listen, right now, things have been going well. Since I joined things have gone well. Obviously my goal-scoring has played a big part in that. Moments like that in the derby obviously help. I'll enjoy that from Wednesday, it was special.

Chance to go into the break with a real sense of momentum?

We've had a decent month. Really decent, actually. The disappointment of Aberdeen has probably been the only down point of it but I feel we have bounced back really well from that, picked ourselves up and got some great wins. Parkhead, here, home to St Mirren in recent weeks. It has been good and we've got two more games before the break. If we go win them we'll put ourselves in a good position.

READ MORE: Hearts preparing to offer captain Lawrence Shankland a new contract

Is the break coming at the wrong time?

It depends where you end up. If you get yourselves in a good position before the break then you can go and enjoy it, get a bit of rest, ready to come back and go again. There have been some really big games in there, big wins. Wednesday is a massive one, you don't play your greatest but go away with three points, you take that. It shows we stuck at it, kept a clean sheet and Zander saving the penalty, bailing me out massively! Huge credit goes to him. I feel he's had a wee bit of stick here and there. I don't know if he deserved it, all in all. A lot of clean sheets in there and he's produced big moments and he should enjoy that. I certainly owe him a beer!

He said he is going to hold you to that...

I hope he does! He really should enjoy that moment, he really dug us out and the result goes to him.

The celebration... you covered about half the pitch?

I done about 4k in my celebration. To be honest, if I turned round and picked up the coins I'd have been a rich man. There were a few flying past. I might take a venture out to that corner. It was a special feeling and your adrenaline takes over at those points. I made a U-turn when I saw the coins coming. It was special and enjoyed it.

READ MORE: Zander Clark: The undroppable Hearts goalkeeper despite Craig Gordon's presence

A nice moment for Zander at the end when the fans were singing his name?

He deserved the plaudits. He got us that result in a way. He kept us in the game. You have to keep a clean sheet to have a chance to go and win it. He did that and played a huge part in that. I owe him one. I'm delighted for him as well. It's not easy when you are playing in a team and you have Craig Gordon coming back from injury. An international goalie, a top goalie for Hearts. It's not easy to play with that pressure but I thought he has handled it really well. He's got Scotland games recently. I'm delighted for him.

When you miss a penalty does it play on your mind or with the form you are in do you think something else will come along?

I couldn't believe it! 'Why have you no gone in?!' I don't think I connected with it. I practiced the day before and made my mind up where I was going. I dinnae change my mind. I just obviously didn't connect with the ball properly. It's life as a striker. You need to get over those moments quickly. You could say I didn't with my performance! It took me the 90 minutes to get it and managed to produce in injury time. I will remember the goal, I won't remember the penalty.

How important is that run of clean sheets?

Touching on it again with Zander. The defence is doing really well. That comes as a whole. Defending set plays when you are asked, defending balls into the box we've done really well. We can be proud of that on and look to keep going with it.