Hearts manager Neil Critchley says he still had faith in under-fire Lawrence Shankland’s ability to boss it on the pitch.
Since returning from Scotland duty in the summer, last season’s Player of the Year has failed to recapture the form that saw him put away 59 goals in a fruitful first two terms at the capital club. It has led to some in the Tynecastle stands questioning whether he should be stripped of the captaincy to help him refocus. But the new Gorgie gaffer has not even considered a downgrade. Critchley said: “No, not at all. That doesn’t ever come into my thinking. Lawrence is captain. He’s captain for a reason and he’ll remain captain.
“I’ve been really impressed with him. I spoke to him again on the training pitch this morning and of course he’s a striker, he wants to score goals, he’s frustrated that he’s not hitting the back of the net. But I think his all-round contribution in the last couple of games has been fantastic.
“I think he’s played like a real captain, a real leader. He’s brought so much more to the team in the way that he’s played and led the line for us and he’s been so, so close to hitting the back of the net. If he keeps putting himself in certain situations then with his finishing ability off both feet or in his head, he will get goals, I’ve got no doubt.”
Out of contract at the end of the campaign and widely expected to move on, the 29-year-old has netted just one goal in 16 appearances this season. He has weighed in with three assists and can been seen geeing team-mates on but that has not been enough to satisfy his detractors, who have accused him of losing interest. His manager has backed him, though, insisting he has had no reason to question Shankland’s commitment to the cause.
“I’m really comfortable with the way he is. Of course, if he misses a chance or he misses a moment, he expects high standards from himself. He expects to score goals so it is a normal reaction that if you miss a chance or you don’t quite connect that there would be that initial reaction of disappointment.
“When we conceded the other night, I’m sure if you looked at me, I would be… It’s human. We’re all human. We all suffer emotions. Lawrence wants to score goals but if you look at his all-round contribution to the team, his physical effort… and the data will back that up. He’s put so much into the last few games and if he keeps working hard, then it will turn for him.”
That might not be enough to shut up those who maintain last season’s talisman has returned out of condition and is a pale imitation of the man who led the line so expertly over the past couple of seasons. The striker passed up chances as Hearts slipped back to the foot of the Premier League table, below city rivals Hibs, after they suffered defeat to Kilmarnock on Wednesday night. It was the first loss under Critchley and he has demanded a positive response and a more complete performance in Perth this afternoon [Saturday].
With a busy November fixture card, including head to heads with Rangers, Celtic and Aberdeen, as well as tough UEFA Conference League ties, the meeting with Sy Johnstone could be an anxious one. But Critchley was unwavering in his belief that Shankland still has the ability to lead from the front.
“I spoke to him this morning”, he added. “Obviously, we were disappointed about losing the game the other night so there’s an obvious disappointment straight after the game but the response from himself and the team has been excellent so I’m looking forward to seeing how we play.”
He is also hoping to have Beni Baningime back in the matchday squad. Critchley added: “He’s done a couple of days of training so he’s in a better position to be available for this game but other than that, we are as we were the other night.”
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