Lawrence Shankland insists he’s proved he's good enough for Scotland and isn’t concerned over his omission from Steve Clarke’s latest squad.
The striker is the first Hearts player to score 20 goals in a season since club legend John Robertson did it in 1991/92. He had been tipped for a recall to the international fold, but wasn’t named among the selections for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers at home to Cyprus and Spain respectively.
Despite his goal return this season, Shankland isn’t upset over not getting the nod. The skipper - standing in for Craig Gordon - is remaining philosophical and knows if he keeps doing what he’s doing in maroon, then his chance will come again. “Ach, it’s one of those things,” he said. “It’s the manager’s decision and it’s one I respect. He has a lot of good players to pick from that he has worked with before. I’ve got no complaints at all about it. I will just keep working hard here, keep looking to score goals, and by the time the next one [squad] comes round I’ll be ready again.
“I don’t think there is anything massive to prove. Obviously, I was involved in the squad before so I proved I was good enough to be there at that point. Things change and I’ve drifted out of it over the last two and a bit years. I just need to knuckle down here. I believe I’m doing everything I can and that’s all you can do. I won’t get too caught up in it.”
Shankland has missed Hearts’ last two matches with a hamstring injury. He sat out the Premiership defeat at Celtic Park with a view to being for for the Scottish Cup quarter-final meeting between the two sides the following weekend. However, that didn’t go to plan and he had to watch on as Hearts were eliminated after a 3-0 home loss.
But he’s back in training now, in what will be a boost to Robbie Neilson before Saturday’s trip north to face Aberdeen. A result would be welcome for the Jambos as they seek to keep Barry Robson’s side at arm’s length in the race for third.
“I’m feeling good,” Shankland told the Edinburgh Evening News. “I did a lot this week to test it out and I was back fully training yesterday. We’re coming towards what people refer to as the business end of the season.
“It’s a big one for us this weekend. We ran out 5-0 winners against Aberdeen last time but I think they were going through a bit of a tough time. Now they’ve had a change of manager and it will be tough, but it’s a game we are all looking forward to. Hopefully we take three points.”
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