Lawrence Shankland Q&A: Hearts talks, speculation, penalties

The Hearts captain spoke after the game about scoring from the spot again, contract talks and dealing with speculation around his future before and during the transfer window.

READ MORE: Steven Naismith Q&A: Hearts threat, Shankland's starring role and Sibbick start

Are you happy you are still a Hearts player?

Of course. There was a lot of talk, speculation throughout the window but at the end of the day, until it gets to the point where somebody gets a bid accepted with Hearts it doesn't involve me. I was fully focused on my football throughout and I will continue to do that.

The speculation doesn't appear to have affected your form?

No, not at all. I was fully focused on my football, that's all I can control really. It was down to me to do that and thankfully I've kept up my form.

Talk us through the penalty, did you have any doubt you were taking it?

I had a look about and remembered Jorge had just been taken off not long before it. I was fine to step up again. Listen, with penalties you miss them. I had scored 16 in a row before that so I didn't become a bad penalty taker because I missed three. It's just part and parcel. I probably shouldn't miss three right enough but I did. I've scored that now so I can move on.

Did you think Trevor Carson had got to it?

I was sweating a wee bit. It was probably a safe penalty, to be honest, just trying to get it as close to the post as possible. Thankfully when he did touch it it hit the post and went in. They all count.

Was Scott Fraser trying to take it when the VAR check was going on?

I don't think he said anything, he just wandered over. I don't know if he was talking to somebody else. Nothing to note in my head.

Was it relief when you booted the ball into the net?

Of course! It is always good to see them hit the net but I thought I would make sure just in case it bounced back and the ref didn't see it! Just delighted to see it hit the net. Obviously felt a bit of frustration going another goal behind. It was good to get us back in the game. A celebration really.

How important was it to show all the contract stuff and speculation hadn't distracted you?

I think it has been the case throughout January, even December, there was a lot of talk but my form has been really good. I've been scoring a lot of goals and playing pretty well. For me, I've remained focused on my task here. In-house, at the club, everybody knows how I am going to go about my work, every day and on game day. There have been no concerns for me over that. It's something I've dealt with before in my career. It is a good thing when people are speaking about you in that manner, it shows you are doing the job well. If you can take it and use it in the right way I think you can use it in your favour.

Have you sat down with Steven Naismith to see what he wants in the next few months?

Not really. I've 18 months left on my contract. That was the biggest point, it's not as if I'm out of contract at the end of the season. The deadline thing was on the club's part to draw a line under it come the end of January and we can move on from there. I'm sure talks will continue further down the line. At this moment in time, I've got 18 months left on this deal that I'm on. We can move on with that, there's not really any mad rush to get stuff sorted as soon as possible. 

READ MORE: Hearts stance over Lawrence Shankland contract deadline explained

How involved have you been in the talks?

Obviously, the offers come to you. The deadline being on it was probably a bit quick on my part for how much I've got to consider going forward - my age and stuff. As I said, I'm happy here. I'm really enjoying my football. I'm hoping my form and performances are showing that. I imagine, further down the line, the talks will open again. As Naisy said, we'd like to put it to bed and just concentrate on the football again.

Although if you keep scoring the speculation will continue?

It can, that's part and parcel of football. If you use that in the right manner and use it to your favour, it can do you the world of good. I think I've been doing that pretty well, to be honest, and hopefully, I continue to do so.

Would you let stuff like this get to your head when you were younger?

Not really, no, because I've kind of dealt with it since I was at Ayr. Every transfer window that came about, if I was hitting form and doing well, there would always be talk of me moving here and there. It's just part of football and you do learn. The more experience you get, it does help. When I was younger, maybe it did get in my head a wee bit and you dare to dream, as they say, but here and now I'm experienced enough and dealt with it enough to just concentrate on my football.

Are you in the best form of your career?

Continuing on from last season, yes. It's been pretty good form throughout. I had a wee bit of an off spell at the start of the season and everybody let me know about that. I knew in my own head what I was heading to and the form I could find by getting back on the scoresheet. I've always had belief in myself. Right now, I am in good form. Whether it's the best of my career, I don't know. I'll have a think about that and get back to you.

READ MORE: Dundee 2-3 Hearts: Shankland shot dominance and set-piece good fortune?

You made sure to let the Derry know you scored?

I was getting a bit of stick off them throughout. I've played for the other team in Dundee and I've had a few good days at Dens Park, so that's probably why they don't like me. It's the part of football we all like. You enjoy the stick from the fans and I'm sure they didn't enjoy me scoring the winner.

How excited are you about what this team can do?

We are probably going behind too much for our liking. We need to keep coming from behind to win games. Hopefully, going forward we can make it a bit easier for ourselves. I don't think there is anything wrong with the character we are showing. We keep going right to the end and we keep getting ourselves results. Saturday was a big result, different from the other week when we were 2-0 down. You get yourself level and then go behind again. It takes big character to get back into it after that. I thought the boys did really well.

Did you ever consider a panenka?

I don't know if I'd ever have that in me, to be honest. Maybe in a testimonial or something, I'll try it later in my career. I like to just try to get them on target and hope they go in.