Hearts daft Spartans star wants Lawrence Shankland square up to share new contract persuasion plan

Few Hearts fans would swither when asked if they’d want Lawrence Shankland leading the line as they kick off their Scottish Cup bid on Saturday.

But Jambos diehard Kevin Waugh has good reason to wish his favourite player was nowhere near Spartans’ Ainslie Park come 12.15pm. Because it’ll be his job to try and stop the Scottish top flight’s most deadly marksman. Waugh admits he’s in two minds about facing the 18-goal hitman who has been at the centre of almost constant transfer speculation this season.

At least it would provide the Spartans skipper an opportunity to try and convince his opposite number to sign the new deal Hearts have tabled. But Waugh - who ironically enjoyed his greatest cup moment in a HIBS shirt by lifting the youth version at Hampden six years ago - knows his side’s chances of springing a shock would be multiplied if there’s no sign of Shanks.

He said: “I’m born and bred Hearts, my entire family are. There’ll be some split loyalties with them on Saturday. My wee brother Darren is a massive Jambo. He’s actually got a ticket for the game through the loyalty points system because he goes to all the games.

“Folk say I must be hoping Shankland’s not playing and yeah, to an extent that’s right. If he’s not there it gives us a better chance. And I think everyone in our dressing room would settle for that.

“But at the same time there’s a part of me that wants to play against him. Why? So I can tell him to sign that contract! But seriously, I want to see how my game fits against his or just how good he actually is. I’ve loved watching him for the past 18 months. He’s my favourite player.

“How do we stop him? Hope that he has an off day and we have the game of our lives. Shankland’s link-up play is so much