Heart of Midlothian chairwoman Ann Budge has confirmed star striker Lawrence Shankland is no closer to signing a new contract and confessed he's a man in demand. 

Shankland, 28, has been in scintillating form this season - with a goal return of 20 goals from 29 Scottish Premiership games. That has prompted widespread interest in the forward, who will have eyes on leading the line for Scotland at Euro 2024 this summer.

The Jam Tarts talisman has 18 months left on his current deal and is believed to have been offered vastly improved terms that would see him become the club's highest-paid player. The contract offer has been shelved temporarily after a deadline had been set prior to the January transfer window. 

READ MORE: Lawrence Shankland next Hearts milestones - 66-year wait, top scorer, 30 goals?

Asked about the latest contract offer handed to the Hearts captain, Budge told PLZ Soccer: "It's not definitely close. Not at all. He's still got 18 months left on his contract, there or thereabouts, so a large part of it is up to Lawrence. He's a young man and is looking at what's right for his career. He's been fantastic for us and I'd like to think we've been pretty good for him as well. So we're still talking and we'd love him to stay.

"But he's a man in demand, as we know. And I think that's only going to increase. It will be his decision at the end of the day."