Ranked: Lawrence Shankland's 31 Hearts goals this season

The Heart of Midlothian striker is the deadliest finisher the country has in their ranks with more responsibility and game time likely to come his way following the injury to Lyndon Dykes which ruled the Aussie-born talisman out of the tournament.

It doesn't take long on social media to encounter Shankland doubters, notably fans of certain other Premiership sides who he has scored regularly against. Hearts fans have, understandably, told all and sundry about how good a striker he is, not just putting the ball in the back of the net but his all-round play.

However, over the next couple of weeks, he will be judged mostly on goals. Can he provide in the big moments and fire Scotland to history? Every Hearts fans will provide the same answer. Abso-bloody-lutely. With that in mind, writers Joel Sked and James Cairney put their heads together and ranked all 31 goals from the season just past ahead of this evening's big match...

READ MORE: The Lawrence Shankland story: From Queen's Park to Hearts and Scotland star

31. St Johnstone (Scottish Premiership - 25/11/23)

Of the 31 goals, this is the only one Shankland knew little about. In fact, that's probably being generous. He seemed to be trying to get out of the way of Liam Boyce's effort but still managed to deflect the ball into the back of the net. It may have been the scruffiest but it was also a big goal to seal a win.

30. Rangers (Scottish Premiership - 05/11/23)

Hearts were 3-0 down in the Viaplay Cup semi-final with 10 minutes to play when Shankland stepped up to send Jack Butland the wrong way from the spot. Few of Shankland's goals were insignificant. This, in terms of the game, was one of those.

29. Livingston (Scottish Premiership - 13/04/24)

The striker had played a part in all three goals previous to his own as Hearts came from 2-0 down in the first-half against the team that would be relegated. Shankland would find the net from the penalty spot. It was a strike hit with purpose, finding the top corner.

28. St Johnstone (Scottish Premiership - 05/08/23)

The season got up and running for Shankland deep into stoppage time in Perth. He had been standing in an offside position when Alex Lowry launched a ball forward for Liam Boyce to chase as St Johnstone pushed for an equaliser. With Boyce advancing Shankland took up a poacher's position to knock home the square ball for one of his easier finishes of the campaign.

27. Dundee (Scottish Premiership - 11/05/24) 

Let's face it, this was on the less aesthetically pleasing scale of Shankland's goals. He showed good movement, a decent touch to allow himself to get set but the execution of the shot wasn't the best with Jon McCracken putting up weak resistance. But they all count!

26. Dundee (Scottish Premiership 03/02/24)

Shankland had missed three penalties in the space of a month. Jorge Grant had taken over responsibility from the spot against Aberdeen but he wasn't on the pitch when Hearts were awarded one at Dens Park which had been won by the captain. The team trailed 2-1 and it meant this was a big moment for Shankland. He delivered. Just. And more was to come. But that's for later.

25. PAOK (UEFA Conference League play-off - 24/08/23)

It was a big penalty. A chance to get Tynecastle Park rocking and to put the team ahead early on in the tie. It was a penalty struck with so much confidence. The goalkeeper dived the right way but the placement and power were far too good.

24. Airdrieonians (Scottish Cup - 11/02/24)

When Alex Cochrane looked up he could see five players in maroon advancing into the box. Who is it that is picked out? Of course, Shankland. He wasn't going to miss. Bread and butter.

23. St Mirren (Scottish Premiership - 23/12/23)

Lawrence Shankland is always switched on when he is in and around the opposition box. There is no better example of that than his first against the Buddies in December. St Mirren thought they were about to clear their lines only for Alex Cochrane to win the ball back in the box. Mark O'Hara was on his bike ready to start cycling. Shankland, however, was primed to go the other way, getting himself in the perfect position for the cross to the back post (more on this later), powering a header into the net.

22. Partick Thistle (League Cup - 20/08/23)

A goal against a Championship side in the League Cup when the team were in a comfortable position. Not the most memorable but there was an aspect of it that needs to be highlighted. Who won the ball by putting pressure on the Thistle defence? Shankland. This is a striker who covers so much ground when the team are in and out of possession. It was a reward for hard work. The finish was very neat and simple as well.

21. Motherwell (Scottish Premiership - 17/02/24)

Note to Motherwell defenders. Don't allow someone of Shankland's quality space and time in the box and a free run at a cross. That's what they did for a free-kick. The Scotland star duly obliged by guiding the ball into the net with his head.

20. Rosenborg (UEFA Conference League third round qualifying - 10/08/23)

One of the striker's underrated and underappreciated attributes is his ability in the air. He may not have a huge leap but he is physically strong and his reading of crossed balls and timing are spot on as demonstrated by his goal in Trondheim. The direction of this header is as good as the placement of shots with his feet.

19. Aberdeen (Scottish Premiership - 18/12/23)

What's that? A header at the back post. On a personal level, it was an important goal, his first at Pittodrie having moved there as a teenager from Queen's Park before dropping down the leagues to come back again. This was down to a striker's determination to free himself of a marker and get that forehead, or anything for that matter, on the ball.

18. Airdrieonians (Scottish Cup - 11/02/24)

Shankland likes a wee scooped or clipped finish over an advancing goalkeeper. There are a couple still to come in this list. Against Airdrieonians he produced a great bit of striker play: Angled run to stay onside, a couple of touches to keep the ball in front and then waiting for the right moment for the goalkeeper to commit before clipping it into the net. He made it look easy.

17. Hibs (Scottish Premiership - 28/02/24)

A penalty so far up the list? Context is required. As mentioned previously, penalties had been missed. This came in the derby and in front of an away support who weren't shy in chucking objects onto the pitch as he prepared to take. He gave David Marshall no chance before letting the away support know he had scored, even eating a pie that had been launched towards him. Albeit he thought it was too spicy.

16. Motherwell (Scottish Premiership - 11/11/23)

There are plenty of strings to Shankland's striker bow. One of those is improvisation. On first viewing the opening goal in a big win at Fir Park looked scruffy. It was anything but. Hearts improved with their attacking set pieces and this saw Frankie Kent win his aerial duel and put his header into the six-yard box where Shankland had his back to the goal. That didn't matter he just instinctively guided it with a volleyed heel. Class.

15. Rangers (Scottish Premiership - 29/10/23)

Here we are again, at the back post for a cross sent deep. Look at Shankland's acceleration into the box. He knows Cochrane with an inswinger can put it into a dangerous area and he is going to be ready. It happens so quickly Ridvan Yilmaz has no clue what's happening. From there it is another fine header directed out of the reach of Jack Butland, the best-performing goalkeeper in the league.

14. Motherwell (Scottish Premiership - 11/11/23)

We broke this goal down on Hearts Standard following the win. Remember what we said earlier about Shankland's first touch when being played through on goal? It was demonstrated again here. This time it enticed Liam Kelly toward him. He didn't panic, just simply took the Motherwell goalkeeper out of the equation by going around him and then ensuring he placed away from the retreating defender. 

13. Dundee (Scottish Premiership 03/02/24)

Lawrence Shankland is strong. Just ask Owen Dodgson. The Dundee defender was ragdolled by the Hearts striker as they challenged for a long ball. Then Kenneth Vargas got the ball and took the team forward before giving it back to Shankland. Just leave him to it. Lee Ashcroft was skipped past before an arrowed finish from an area where Shankland is deadly from found the back of the net. A captain's moment.

12. Rosenborg (UEFA Conference League third round qualifying - 17/08/23)

Hearts fans are just beginning to get used to having a striker who when played through on goal is going to score. On this night in Gorgie, the noise changed instantly as soon as the crowd realised what was happening. The change in volume suggested the goal had already been scored. It hadn't. But it would. Under pressure, Shankland waited for the goalkeeper to make the first move then nonchalantly lifted it over. Composure.

11. Celtic (Scottish Premiership - 16/12/23)

It's the striker's movement and reading of the ball that contribute heavily to this goal. Watch as some get sucked in or caught under the flight, Shankland backs off as he does so well. From then on it's all about generating power to beat Hart. It looks simple but it is a difficult task. A key component to Shankland's arsenal.

10. Celtic (Scottish Premiership - 03/03/24)

Not for the first time that season Shankland made Liam Scales look foolish, enticing the defender toward the ball and then skipping past. After playing in Calem Nieuwenhof it was all about anticipation and reaction. He reacts quicker than any Celtic player to sweep the ball delightfully past Joe Hart. In fact, it is not a sweep, it's an arrow. It looks like a sweep but he gets power on it with his laces, keeping it low and true.

9. Celtic (Scottish Premiership - 22/10/23)

Shankland hadn't scored in eight games. Some fans had suggested dropping him, he was being asked about the drought. In the grand scheme of the game this strike wasn't all that important with Hearts second-best to Celtic throughout but it is hard to tell just how big a goal in the grand scheme of the season, both for Hearts and the player. And it came out of nothing. The ball found its way to his feet on the edge of the box and he had one thing on his mind, turn and shoot. Using Liam Scales he curled it into the bottom corner with Joe Hart given no chance.

8. Rangers (Scottish Premiership - 18/05/24)

Due to Shankland's lack of pace when he is played through on goal, it's his touch that is crucial in keeping him away from opposition defenders. This was shown in the final game of the season when his first touch to meet Yutaro Oda's pass was massive in keeping Leon King at arm's length. When it came to the finish, it's as if he knew Butland would go to ground with the Rangers goalkeeper still upright when he began to pull his leg back. What followed was a delightful clip.

7. St Johnstone (Scottish Premiership - 07/02/24)

Did we mention Shankland is strong? Have we talked about his ability to conjure something from nothing? I believe so on both accounts. This was another example of that. And also his ability to come up clutch and provide match-winning moments. The difference when Hearts aren't at their best but they have a generational striker. He used his strength to see off Ryan McGowan. Skipped by Andy Considine without being rushed or losing his composure and then the composure to score past Dimitar Mitov. Shankland was quite simply the difference that evening in Perth. 

6. Aberdeen (Scottish Premiership - 27/01/24)

There is just something so aesthetically pleasing about goals using the outside of the boot. Jorge Grant removed himself from the situation with the ball at the edge of the box so the country's top marksman could take over. The situation called for an outside-of-the-boot strike and that's what Shankland delivered, steering the ball into the top corner. He always seems to know what kind of finish is needed. And then delivers.

5. Ross County (Scottish Premiership - 30/12/23)

When Calem Nieuwenhof stabs the ball to Shankland he is being closed down by two players with a further two County defenders between him and the goal. And then there is the rangy Ross Laidlaw in goals. A ball coming toward your weaker foot, most players would take a touch, try to shift it and create space for a shot. Not Shankland. He shoots first time finding the only place for the ball to go. Laidlaw's reaction is priceless. He hasn't even had a chance to get set so he can only watch this pass-like shot roll into the bottom corner. Exquisite.

4. Livingston (Scottish Premiership 02/01/24)

What were we saying about goals with the outside of the boot? This is yet another that demonstrates Shankland's range of finishing, his composure and awareness. Running onto a pass from Alan Forrest he has a defender between him and the goal. He doesn't rush, he takes his time and once again uses his opponent as a guide. And then the stroke of the outside of the right boot to find the corner. Why is this better than the Aberdeen one? Can't quite put my finger on it but it is.

3. St Mirren (Scottish Premiership - 15/05/24)

Shankland hit the 30 mark in the penultimate game of the season, stepping off the bench to do so. And what a way to get it. There are very few players in the league who could do that for the second time having meant it. There was no luck involved. He scored a very similar one with Dundee United against St Mirren. Not only was he moving away from goal but he had his back to goal as well. As always he had a picture in his head. Who was where and where the space was. He made it look so simple on the volley under pressure, just lifting it over his shoulder perfectly for it to drop into the far corner. Zach Hemming could only watch.

2. St Mirren (Scottish Premiership - 23/12/23)

You can tell a lot about a goal from players' reactions. Watch the below clip and keep an eye on Aidan Denholm and Nathaniel Atkinson. Both wheeled away in delight, celebrations that wouldn't look out of place in a World Cup final. That's how good Shankland's strike was. The man himself walked away Mario Balotelli-esque, as if he produces those moments of magic every week. Which, to be fair, he does. This goal was special and one that jolted every single Hearts fan in Tynecastle. In one motion he got the ball on the edge of the box, swivelled and thundered a strike into the far top corner on his so-called weaker foot. Stupendous.

1. Hibs (Scottish Premiership - 27/12/23)

Frankly, there was only going to be one winner. Arguments could be made for some others to have been better goals. Maybe. Actually, no. Let's face it, this was so, so special. Even when you strip away the fact Shankland had missed an early penalty and not played all that well (to put it lightly) it is still an incredible goal. A long ball, nothing appeared to be on, surrounded by Hibs players. It doesn't matter when it is Hearts in a derby. When it's Shankland wearing maroon with the ball at his feet in and around the box. He wandered into the penalty area. Still, Will Fish looked like he had closed off all avenues. Then Shankland, with a wee shift of his bodyweight opened up a gap, just enough for the ball. And that's exactly where he put it. Using Fish as a guide, curling, with pace, a left-footed effort into the very top corner. Cue pandemonium. When it comes to great derby goals, that is right up there. When fans are preparing for derbies by watching derby goals, whether it be an early opening of a pub, in someone's flat surrounded by cans of Tennent's or on the way to the game, everyone will be waiting for this goal.