Lawrence Shankland credits Hearts captaincy as well as goals for ending Scotland exile

Lawrence Shankland admits being handed the captain's armband at Hearts became a catalyst for hitting the heights with club and country.

The Scotland striker enjoyed a stunning first season with the Jambos by netting 28 goals in 47 appearances which has been rewarded with a recall into Steve Clarke's national squad for this month's European qualifiers against Norway and Georgia. Former Tynecastle boss Robbie Neilson placed his trust in the former Ayr United hitman by naming him as skipper after a season ending injury to Craig Gordon back in December and the 27-year-old has remained on-field leader under newly appointed gaffer Steven Naismith.

Shankland is currently at Scotland's training camp in Spain and he believes the responsibility of leading out Hearts has been a transforming part of a career resurgence. He said: “It was a really strong season for me. My performances were at a high standard and I was really happy with them.

"The number of goals I managed to chip in with was great. It was obviously my first season at Hearts so it was good to get off to a good start. The captaincy was an opportunity which came about, I probably didn't expect it when I first went there.

"When it was offered to me, I was keen to take on that role. I felt it was something that could improve my all-round game and improve me as a person. I felt I took it in my stride really well and handled it. It was a huge learning opportunity for me and hopefully it stands me in good stead for the future."

Shankland became the first Hearts player to score 20 goals in a season since that landmark was last hit by club legend John Robertson and the recruit from Belgian side Beerschot last summer admits his career has been a slow burner of a career which