Steven Naismith has moved to ridicule continuing speculation about the future of his star striker Lawrence Shankland and completely dismiss any notion contact had been made over a transfer.

The Scotland striker netted 31 goals last season in Gorgie, winning Scotland's player of the year.

He's been consistently linked with a move to Rangers despite reports suggesting Phillipe Clement has reservations about the player's ability to lead a high press.

And Naismith ardently refuted any suggestion that Heart of Midlothian were aware of an approach.

He told Sky Sports: "There's no change. All these reports coming out, there's been every avenue gone down - he's leaving, he's maybe leaving, he's on a list, he's not on a list. For any of our players, we've had no conversations. We had one about Alex Cochrane and that then developed into something serious and the deal gets done because everyone was satisfied. We've had no information or contact with anybody for any other player.

"One of the biggest thing you could praise Lawrence for last season is that all that speculation goes on and on but some players can deal with it and some can't, Shanks last season done it. For the last two seasons he's consistently scored goals, become a leader and his target is to continue that on and have a successful season."