Sandy Clark reckons Lawrence Shankland is destined to develop into the newest king of Hearts. The previous Jambos striker believes the summer time signing may strengthen the hand of Robbie Neilson’s facet and put silverware firmly on the playing cards.
Shankland opened with a double on his debut towards Stoke final weekend and Clark is aware of the brand new boy nicely as a result of he noticed plenty of him at United, the place he performed up entrance alongside his son Nicky. He stated: “If you take a look at all the opposite groups within the Premiership you may see Shanks being proper up there within the goalscoring charts.
“ Celtic and Rangers are miles forward financially however Hearts have been the third greatest workforce final season and that would be the similar once more this 12 months. Hearts have strengthened nicely and Robbie appears to have constructed his squad as much as be the largest challenger to Rangers and Celtic. The signing of Shanks simply strengthens that place for me.
“There's a actual really feel good issue on the membership and Europe is an absolute bonus. All he can do is to maintain the workforce going, preserve that, attempt to hold going within the cups and perhaps get the luck to elevate one among them. That can be Robbie’s purpose however with a goalscorer like Shanks, you give yourselves a greater probability.”
Shankland scored targets for enjoyable as United gained the Championship in 2020, netting 29 for membership and nation in all competitions. His first season within the high flight was extra of a battle as ex-Tannadice supervisor Micky Mellon opted for a extra defensive method.
However Clark reckons Hearts and Neilson are tailored to get the most effective out of their marquee signing. He added: “Shanks will all the time rating targets. At Dundee United when he performed with Nicky simply behind him, it bought the most effective out of him – particularly that season within the Championship once they have been attacking and going at groups.
“Hearts arrange with Barrie McKay and Alan Forrest on both flank and Shanks via the center to get into the field. They lacked a wee bit final season, though Liam Boyce is an effective striker. Shanks has all the time been sensible when the ball comes into the field.
“That’s when he comes alive, makes issues occur and will get on the tip of issues. It’s no shock as a result of he’s made a profession out of scoring targets. He didn’t get a load of possibilities on Saturday however labored exhausting, scored two good targets and compelled the keeper into a few good saves. That’s why Robbie has signed him – to present Hearts that wee bit extra firepower. That’s precisely what they’ll get.”
Shankland was performed out of place at Beerschot and the workforce struggled en path to relegation. Clark stated: “A 12 months in the past, going to Belgium – with hindsight – wasn’t the most effective transfer for Shanks. It didn’t actually work out with Beerschot getting relegated.
“I’m positive Lawrence may have discovered so much, tailored from taking part in in Belgium and may have come again to Hearts as an all-round higher participant. He scored for Scotland when he performed.
“He’s a goalscorer. If he scores targets – as I count on him to do – at Hearts, the door will open for him once more internationally. He has proved himself at that degree and I’m positive Steve Clarke would hold the door open, particularly for match-winners on the high finish of the park.”
Hearts have already offered out their season tickets for the marketing campaign, which will get going at dwelling to Ross County. Having been at Gary Locke’s testimonial final week, Clark is aware of Tynecastle can be a fortress, beginning this Saturday afternoon.
The previous Tynecastle supervisor and ahead added: “The Hearts followers are implausible. Season tickets are offered out and that tells you all it's essential to know. I used to be on the membership for 10 years and it’s all concerning the followers. It’s nice to see the way in which the membership and workforce are going below the stewardship of their very own supporters.”