Against Hibs, the Scotland international scored a thrilling late goal to win.
Steven Naismith thinks Lawrence Shankland will go down as a Hearts legend because of his stoppage-time victory against Hibernian, which won over more Hearts fans.
In what opposition manager Nick Montgomery referred to as “a moment of quality,” the talismanic skipper overcame the disappointment of an early penalty miss to score the sole goal of a tense Edinburgh derby in the third minute of added time.
After making room for himself in the area and using a great touch to stop a long kick-out from goalkeeper Zander Clark, Shankland curled a spectacular strike high past David Marshall.
The Scotland forward became one of the all-time top scorers for the Jambos with his 44th goal in one and a half years with Hearts and his 16th this season.
The manager remarked, “I don’t think he is far off it (becoming a legend).” “Are there many greater than him and Hearts’ record-setting goal scorer John Robertson in terms of his goal record and goal return? I’m not entirely certain.
For me, he falls into that category. Furthermore, I believe that more is yet to come. Although he has an incredible goal return, that is the easiest aspect of his game because he has done it all his career.
“His current hold-up play and position in the game are far different from what they were at Ayr or Dundee United.”
“He knows the rules of the game, he’s the captain now. He is a center forward with versatility who, in my opinion, is now Scotland’s best finisher.
After Martin Boyle of Hibs saw his spot-kick pushed onto the woodwork by Clark in the 14th minute, Shankland struck the post with his penalty in the fifth minute.
With a game remaining, Naismith’s team managed to maintain their 10th clean sheet in 19 league games, keeping a two-point lead over Kilmarnock in third.
According to Naismith, “I don’t think the game was particularly great; it lacked quality in general.” “We did a decent job of building up to a certain point, but we lacked the composure to find the proper pass.
“With two (missed) penalties in the first fifteen minutes, it was a mental game, but with someone like Shanks, it never ends.
We always have a chance because of our strong defensive system and refusal to concede goals. Additionally, you can be sure that Shanks will put it away if given the chance, which is exactly what happened while he was there.
Shankland was the difference, according to Hibs manager Montgomery, on a night when he thought his team should have at least a point.
He remarked, “It’s a cruel game sometimes.” “A draw would have certainly pleased both teams, but that was a really good moment.
“It’s a great strike, which explains why he’s moving on so much in the media.” With the exception of that one instance, we were able to keep him quiet. He is among the league’s top attackers.
“We were really good for big stretches of the game, but we just needed the last pass or the last touch of brilliance to win it all.
“It was a draw for anyone who was watching.”
In the second half, Hibs had Josh Campbell taken off the field on a stretcher.
Montgomery replied, “I think he just twisted his ankle badly.” “It expands the roster of players we currently have out, but hopefully it’s not as bad as initially believed.”
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