Has ‘diamond’ Shankland delivered his biggest moment for Hearts?

May 5, 2026 No Comments

Has ‘diamond’ Shankland delivered his biggest moment for Hearts?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Lawrence Shankland has scored 14 league goals for Hearts this seasonByGeorge O’Neill, BBC Sport Scotland and Jack Herrall, BBC Sport ScotlandPublished26 minutes agoFrom potentially delivering parcels to potentially delivering a moment of history scorched into Scottish football folklore.It was a moment built for one man, and one man only. A win for Hearts would mean another step towards a historic title. A step towards the unthinkable. A step towards immortality.Lawrence Shankland was the one all eyes fell upon at Tynecastle. Seventy-one nerve-jangling minutes in, he was the person Stephen Kingsley’s cross skidded towards. In the blink of an eye and a swing of a left boot, Shankland powered Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts towards a monumental 2-1 win over Rangers which leaves them on the precipice of glory.The captain has long been Hearts’ go-to man, but it’s almost unthinkable to ponder nine years ago he was ready to get a job as a delivery driver to supplement his stalling football career.Now, Scotland’s best finisher is potentially three games – or fewer – from leading Hearts to their first top-flight title since 1960.Leaders Hearts topple Rangers to take seismic leap towards title

‘Pure theatre puts Hearts on cusp of title fairytale’

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Shankland on Hearts’ win against Rangers

“He was going to go and get a job [as a delivery driver], and he could now be the captain of Hearts, scoring unbelievable goals and going on to lift a title,” former Hearts striker Ryan Stevenson stated on BBC Radio Scotland.

Shankland broke through in a Queen’s Park team that included the current Scotland captain Andy Robertson and his current Tynecastle team-mate, Blair Spittal, but failed to make an impact when he moved to Aberdeen.

When he was released by the Pittodrie outfit, he had a gap where he considered his change of profession, before a move to Ayr United.

Spells with Dundee United and Belgian side Beerschot followed, but at Tynecastle, he has found a home.

“See for any young player listening, let this resonate with you,” Stevenson stated.

“He was going to go and get a job [delivering parcels], and he could now be the captain of Hearts, scoring unbelievable goals and going on to lift a title.

“It is absolutely incredible, and do you know how he’s got there? Himself.

“Hard work, dedication, believing in himself, and he’s just found the right club for him.

“He is now three games away from lifting the league title, and he deserves it, he absolutely deserves it.

“A diamond of a player.”

His cool, clinical, and powerful strike that put his side ahead against Rangers – and on the brink of history – was yet another seismic moment in a season full of them for Shankland, who has a club-high 14 league goals this season.

His crucial close-range goal for Scotland against Denmark in November would normally be a career-high moment for any forward, but his season has three monumental games left, let alone the chance to feature at this summer’s World Cup.

“I know Lawrence, I know what sort of boy he is, he has that presence about him,” Stevenson added.

“He’s calm too when the ball comes into him, he can take a touch and calm everyone down.

“He brings others into the game, and his finishing is out of this world.”

‘McInnes got his biggest team talk spot on’

McInnes praises ‘magnificent’ support as Hearts fight back

It was Shankland’s goal that won it for Hearts on Monday, but it was a half-time tweak that sparked their revival after a lacklustre first half.

They trailed 1-0 to Dujon Sterling’s deflected striker, but head coach Derek McInnes hooked Islam Chesnokov and brought on Blair Spittal – last weekend’s derby hero – to bolster his midfield.

It appeared as though Hearts went from a back four to a back three as well, although McInnes played that down post-match, focusing on the spirit his players showed.

“The way the players dug that out was magnificent,” McInnes stated.

“It wasn’t a change of shape as much, it was the same as the start of the first half.

“It was a change of approach, a change of mindset, we had it all to do.

“We needed a big half-time, and thankfully we organised ourselves enough to get more confidence in the game.

“We asked the players to show more responsibility, we’re not top of the league without cause, and that we needed to start showing we were the team at the top of the league because we were miles off it first half.”

Whereas Rangers’ mentality was questioned after another slip-up, Hearts’ ability to win and their second-half turnaround was the focus of significant praise.

Spittal was instrumental in Stephen Kingsley’s equaliser, fizzing a pass out to Alexandros Kyziridis before continuing his run to drag defenders away from the Greek winger.

He cut inside and shot against the post, before Kingsley slotted home the rebound.

Then, 17 minutes later, came Shankland’s goal.

“Derek McInnes at half-time, he had the biggest team talk of his managerial career, and he got it right,” Stevenson stated.

“Blair Spittal was unbelievable when he came on.

“What a result, what a performance.

“I think today’s result will win them the league, I honestly believe that.”

Related topics

Scottish Premiership
Scottish Football
Heart of Midlothian
Football

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Published

18 June 2023

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