ROBBIE NEILSON rates Lawrence Shankland so highly he’s signed him twice.
And the former Hearts boss believes Jamestown Analytics would have identified the striker as a target this summer – if he hadn’t already banged in goals at Tynecastle.
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Neilson brought Shankland to Dundee United in 2019 from Ayr United, and to Gorgie three years later.
The prolific forward has netted 68 goals in maroon in the three seasons since, finishing as the Edinburgh club’s top scorer in every single campaign.
Having allowed his last contract to expire, the hitman has now decided to re-sign for the Jambos.
Having flown out to join up with Derek McInnes’ squad in Spain, Shankland has now put pen-to-paper on a new three-year deal running until 2028.
Neilson believes Shankland’s impressive scoring record made keeping him at the club a no-brainer.
Neilson told SunSport: “You get all sorts of strikers. Guys who hold the ball up, guys who run in behind.
“With Shanks, first and foremost he’s a goalscorer. Plain and simple.
“You can never guarantee anyone will score goals, but he’s probably as close as you’ll get in Scotland.
“He’s done it throughout his career and the biggest thing for me is that the club knows his character.
“Sometimes you sign players who are used to playing in front of 2,000 or 3,000 fans and they just can’t deal with Tynecastle.
“It’s different when there’s 20,000 judging your every move. But Shanks has been there and done it.
“He’s scored in Edinburgh derbies. He’s scored against the Old Firm.
“His goal ratio is phenomenal and I’d be surprised if he wouldn’t have been flagged up by Jamestown.
“He would have been on their radar if he wasn’t at Hearts already, because of his record and the fact he’s still at his peak.
“It’s a great bit of business for him and the club.”
Neilson, who led Hearts to the Championship title in 2015 and 2021, believes accomplished boss Derek McInnes will tease the best back out of the Scotland international.
The striker netted just nine times last season and was often played out of position in midfield by Neil Critchley.
Five of those goals came in the last five games of the campaign, when interim boss Liam Fox moved Shankland back into his more familiar outright number nine role.
Neilson said: “Derek is a very experienced manager and if anyone can get the best out of Shanks, it’s him.
“Derek made it clear he wanted to keep Shanks early on and he’ll be delighted to get that sorted.
“I’m sure he’ll make it clear that Lawrence is the main striker. Whether that is as part of a double act, we will see.
“But if Shanks plays as a 10, like he did at times last season, that takes him away from goal.
“It removes him from where he’s most dangerous.
“If he gets back to playing consistently in the right position, I’m sure the confidence will come back and the goals will follow.”
Having kept his options open over the summer, Shanks is set to recommit to the club on a bumper new long-term deal.
Neilson doesn’t expect the popular striker to face any backlash for taking his time to weigh up his options.
The 45-year-old, who was in charge of Tampa Pay Rowdies until April this year, expects Shanks to quickly return to his status as a fan favourite in Gorgie.
Neilson said: “I think both sides were looking for a longer deal.
“Shanks has likely got 4 or 5 years left at the top level and it was a big decision for him.
“Ultimately it’s a brilliant bit of business for Hearts and himself.
“I’m pretty sure that 99.9 percent of Hearts fans wanted him to stay.
“Of course you get the odd fan on Twitter saying otherwise.
“But the vast majority want Shanks there because he scores goals and wins games.
“It’s great business and I’m excited to see how he goes next season.”
Neilson also rubbished any concerns over Shankland’s fitness, with some armchair critics suggesting the striker wasn’t as physically sharp as he could have been last season.
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Neilson added: “Ultimately it doesn’t matter what frame a striker has.
“You don’t need to be a marathon runner to score goals.
“You get all different types of strikers and the key thing with Lawrence is how sharp he is in front of goal.
“He’s done it throughout his career and I don’t see that changing now.”
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