Hearts goal drought for Lawrence Shankland reminds pal of Hazard as skipper backed to grab big Rangers moment

He's going through what might be the worst goal drought of his career so far.

But if Hearts get one chance to score at Ibrox against Rangers today? There’s only one man Beni Baningime would want it to fall to. You have to feel for Lawrence Shankland right now. The Jambos’ captain and talisman is firing blanks at Tynecastle, having bagged just ONE goal in 17 games this term. Against German side Heidenheim in the Conference League on Thursday night, Shankland’s general play was excellent.

But a crisis in confidence saw him snatch at a few big opportunities that he’d normally stick away. Baningime is fully behind his team-mate, who racked up an incredible tally of 33 last term. The midfielder has absolutely no doubts that Shankland will start scoring again - potentially against Gers tonight.

He cited the example of former Chelsea superstar Eden Hazard, who notched 22 goals in his last campaign at Stamford Bridge - before moving to Real Madrid where he only managed a solitary strike in 2019/20. Baningime knows it can happen to the best. But he’s adamant Shankland will find his shooting boots again - and wouldn’t bet against him at Ibrox.

He said: “I’m 100% confident in Lawrence. You don’t score as many goals as he’s done for the last two seasons. The best players go through it. I remember one season when Hazard was absolutely world class at Chelsea. Then you looked at him the following year and thought, OK. So, it happens.

“If you’re an opposition team and you’re looking to stop someone, it’s going to be Lawrence because he scores so many goals and is a great player. So for me, I’m confident he’ll turn it around. He’s a top character and his ability speaks for itself. He knows how to score goals. Of course, he’s frustrated