Lawrence Shankland wanted Aberdeen 'you're fat as f***' truth bomb as Hearts star needed Derek McInnes tough love

Lawrence Shankland admits in hindsight that Derek McInnes calling him overweight would have been the best thing for him as he reflected on his disappointing Aberdeen spell.

The striker couldn't make the grade at Pittodrie and left having scored zero in 17 games following a move to the north from Queen's Park. He dropped down the leagues to Ayr United and has rebuilt his career, now Hearts captain in place of Craig Gordon and a Scotland international after stints at the Honest Men, Dundee United and Belgian club Beerschot.

But speaking to Open Goal, Shankland admits some harsh words from Aberdeen boss at the time McInnes would have helped the penny drop quicker. He explained: "I was chubby, real chubby. Just moving away and I stayed with three boys in a flat, we were the curly fries kings! It was hard being up there yourself as you are so young.

"Derek McInnes pulled me in, I didn't realise at the time as the penny didn't drop, but he was always saying to me here and there go to the gym a bit more. He should probably have said 'you're fat mate, lose weight, you're not playing for me until you do.'

"I was out of contract at Queen's Park then Aberdeen signed me. I was too heavy, he (McInnes) was good, probably too nice in a way, that was probably the biggest thing.

"I was young. It was probably hard for him to say to a young boy 'you're fat as f***'. Probably not the best thing to say."