Lawrence Shankland transfer clarity needed as Hearts exit could see Naismith SACKED – Ryan Stevenson

Steven Naismith will end up sacked if Lawrence Shankland leaves Hearts at the end of January. That’s the simple fact and I suspect he feels it himself.

If I was Naisy, I’d be wanting the club to put a statement out right now about Lawrence. Today. Just to put everything to bed. Listen, clubs are going to come in for Lawrence so Hearts have to get this sorted right now. Naisy needs to get in a room with Lawrence and the club hierarchy, all sit down and say what it will take to smooth things over until the summer so there’s no disruption during the January window.

If Lawrence is going to go, come out to clarify the situation. Make it all clear. If there’s interest, put it to him and get a deal done quickly. Do the business on January 1 and give Naisy real time to get something sorted for a replacement. If they can reach an agreement that he stays until the summer, get it out in the open so there is no constant and troublesome speculation. Sit him down in that room and say: What can we do? Can we give you a bonus until the end of the season to stay and then you can go? What will make you feel better?

What they can’t do is let it fester. I’ve been involved in it and it wrecks a player’s head when there’s no communication. The player hears things, from agents, from press, yet you don’t know. I’ve been there. Have clarity. Yes there’s offers, here they are. Or not. All this: Is he going, is he not? It can seriously affect form and it can filter through to other players and affect them, too. I’ve seen it so Hearts need to be up front to make sure everything is done correctly.

The worst thing that can happen is no communication and Lawrence losing his focus and his form with his head spinning. Let me tell a story. I played with