Lawrence Shankland will rediscover Hearts goalscoring magic as Critchley fiercely rejects captaincy change

Hearts manager Neil Critchley says he still had faith in under-fire Lawrence Shankland’s ability to boss it on the pitch.

Since returning from Scotland duty in the summer, last season’s Player of the Year has failed to recapture the form that saw him put away 59 goals in a fruitful first two terms at the capital club. It has led to some in the Tynecastle stands questioning whether he should be stripped of the captaincy to help him refocus. But the new Gorgie gaffer has not even considered a downgrade. Critchley said: “No, not at all. That doesn't ever come into my thinking. Lawrence is captain. He's captain for a reason and he'll remain captain.

“I've been really impressed with him. I spoke to him again on the training pitch this morning and of course he's a striker, he wants to score goals, he's frustrated that he's not hitting the back of the net. But I think his all-round contribution in the last couple of games has been fantastic.

“I think he's played like a real captain, a real leader. He's brought so much more to the team in the way that he's played and led the line for us and he's been so, so close to hitting the back of the net. If he keeps putting himself in certain situations then with his finishing ability off both feet or in his head, he will get goals, I've got no doubt.”

Out of contract at the end of the campaign and widely expected to move on, the 29-year-old has netted just one goal in 16 appearances this season. He has weighed in with three assists and can been seen geeing team-mates on but that has not been enough to satisfy his detractors, who have accused him of losing interest. His manager has backed him, though, insisting he has had no reason to question Shankland’s commitment to the cause.

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