Lawrence Shankland is priceless Hearts asset and sanctioning his exit would only leave massive hole - Ryan Stevenson

If Hearts want to strike it rich then they can’t cash in on prize asset Lawrence Shankland.

I know the striker has been linked with clubs in England and Saudi Arabia but the Jambos can’t afford to let him go. He netted 28 goals last season and already has four goals in five games in this campaign. He’s a big part of this team. Shankland’s goal in Trondheim then the leveller at Tynecastle against Rosenborg were massive in helping Hearts get through in the Europa Conference League.

I know Cammy Devlin scored the goals that won the tie but Shankland’s importance to the team is vital and can’t be underplayed or estimated. He will be massive in the two games against PAOK as well. His goal last week against Rosenborg was massive. There was a defensive error but he was so sharp to get on to it and under pressure he dinked it over the keeper. There are not many players in those circumstances who would have remained so cool and calm.

The hardest thing in football is scoring goals. Shankland does that and has done it throughout his career. If you have a guy who can score 20-plus goals a season you could only imagine the massive hole he’d leave if Hearts were to lose him.

He is also club captain and the way he lives his life on and off the park he is a role model for all the younger boys and fans. It’s vital we do try and keep him. When you get linked with clubs from Saudi Arabia it can be a bit daunting with the finances they have on offer. They can blow everybody out of the water.

I’d be quietly confident that Shankland will remain at Hearts. I don’t see him going there. Also, he has already been abroad in Belgium and it didn’t really work out for him. Would he want to go away again? I’m not so sure. I wouldn’t want to let him go