After applauding the visiting support in Dingwall following a deserved 1-0 win over Ross County, Lawrence Shankland made his way up the tunnel. Delighted with the win but such is his willingness to score, no doubt frustrated at reaching seven games without a goal. His longest goalless spell since joining Heart of Midlothian in the summer of 2022.
It has followed an intriguing summer period. Due to involvement with the Scotland national team he was one of the last to return to pre-season. There was speculation over a transfer with reported interest from Asia and the English Championship. He then started the season on fire with five goals in six games, suggesting he was on course to eclipse last season's impressive haul of 28 goals, the most by a Hearts player since John Robertson in the 1987/88 campaign. While the one game he didn't find the net in during that period, at home to Kilmarnock, "was probably my worst game for Hearts" he admitted.
Since scoring against PAOK Salonika in the Europa Conference League play-off at Tynecastle, Shankland has not seen an effort ripple the back of the net.
READ MORE: Steve Clarke outlines his reasons for dropping Lawrence Shankland
One of the talking points amongst fans is whether the forward should be taken out of the team in place of Liam Boyce on the back of the goal drought. Add in the fact he has started every game this season with only Frankie Kent, Kye Rowles and Zander Clark playing more minutes. That's after a summer where his campaign was prolonged due to Scotland involvement.
His omission from the national team squad for the upcoming Spain and France double header will no doubt sting after he worked so hard to get back into Steve Clarke's plans.
“I took Lawrence to Cyprus last time and he didn’t get stripped," the Scotland boss explained. "He didn’t get on the pitch against England. So I just felt that this time, rather than drag him around Europe again, it was probably better to leave him with his club and let him get on with it there.”
The international break and not travelling could be a blessing in disguise in the medium and longer term.
As for talk of dropping Shankland? He should be the first name Steven Naismith writes on the team sheet for Saturday's derby with Hibs. There is no better game, no better opposition for Shankland to find the back of the net. Five Edinburgh derbies, four goals. He is a player who gets what the fixture is about, what it means.
Prior to the last meeting between the sides, Hibs defender Lewis Miller had spoken of being ready to "overtake" Hearts. Eleven seconds into the match he was on the receiving end of a firm challenge from Shankland which was penalised by the referee. It was the type of situation that sets the tone for the game. 'Welcome to Tynecastle. It's derby day'.
There is a reason Robbie Neilson handed the striker the captaincy when Craig Gordon suffered a season-ending injury. He is the type of player to demand standards. The type of player who won't shirk responsibility and will be honest.
READ MORE: Hearts v Hibs: How to prepare for an Edinburgh derby
Hearts Standard spoke to a number of players and coaches who have played or worked with Shankland throughout his career for an upcoming feature on the striker. A manager spoke of a "drive and determination" in training everyday. The way he "demanded standards" would mean he would fall out with people in training as happens across football but it wouldn't linger, the understanding was of a player who wanted to win and ensure the team reached its potential.
A former team-mate said: "Whether it is his performances, his goal return, stepping up hit penalties, leadership he shows in interviews, standards in training, I think Hearts have ultimately got the full package."
Any notion that the captaincy has been a burden is nonsensical, it has had the opposite effect. He has grown and thrived in the role. The individual who is brought out in tough moments to face the media.
But why the drought?
If you were to compare the player's stats from the Premiership season so far to last season there has not been any significant change (as above). He's getting more touches in the box this campaign which is no surprise considering he has been playing higher and more central. His shots per 90 minutes is slightly down but his xG per shot has increased slightly.
Yet, if you were to look at it from the Dundee game to Ross County (below), he is down on almost every metric and in some cases substantially so, notably xG and xG per shot. The latter is reflected in the team as a whole. Hearts fans will have noticed the volume of clear cut chances created for their No.9 in recent weeks hasn't been high.
The shot map below paints a clear picture. It shows all of Shankland's efforts in recent league games, against Dundee, Motherwell, Aberdeen, St Mirren and Ross County. Nearly half of the 14 efforts have been blocked (the ones in grey). Opponents have defended deep and got bodies behind the ball limiting the space Hearts have had in the final third. The only chance which has an xG over 0.25 (essentially a chance which would be expected to end in goal once every four attempts) is the one late on against St Mirren (the mustard colour one).
That loss at the Buddies was a perfect encapsulation of what has been a frustrating period for the striker. As James Cairney wrote:
"Passing in and around the opposition box is an area that has improved on Naismith’s watch but that progress was conspicuous by its absence at the SMiSA Stadium. Across the 90 minutes, Hearts mustered just five passes into the St Mirren area from open play. Three of them were played by Boyce, and the other two were played by Shankland: the two players who should really be on the receiving end.
"Of the 35 touches Shankland had during the course of the game, only five were in the St Mirren box."
Even if Shankland hasn't consistently reached the standards expected of him in the last six weeks, context is required. As well as the lack of chance creation as explored above, he is still building relationships with those coming into the team. Hearts have not had a settled attack, while he is missing the pace of Josh Ginnelly, the pair having mustered a fine understanding, as well as the directness of Barrie McKay. It is hoped Kenneth Vargas and Alex Lowry can build a similar understanding.
Plus, it's not as if Shankland has not been contributing. He is still the attacking reference point, he is still a savvy operator in build-up play and with his back to goal. He played a key role in both goals in the win over Kilmarnock.
And if Hearts are to taste derby victory once more it will be no surprise to see Shankland front and centre. The green and white of Hibs is the ideal target for the striker to find the net once more.
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