Steven Naismith issues Lawrence Shankland warning amid transfer interest

STEVEN NAISMITH has warned suitors Lawrence Shankland’s price WON’T drop over the next 12 months – because the Scotland striker remains too valuable to Hearts.

The 28-year-old is now in the final year of his Jambos deal and has so far rejected two offers to sign a new one.

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Shankland has long been linked with a move to rivals Rangers but Hearts have yet to receive any sort of bid.

and the Tynecastle club have no plans to cash in because they know his goals could secure more Euro riches next season.

The Gorgie outfit rate Shankland in the £4-5million bracket – the same amount they’ll bring in from European football this season.

So boss Steven Naimsmith has stressed there is no likelihood of anyone landing the forward on a cut price deal.

He said: “At every club in Scotland, every player has a value. 

“It doesn’t always sit with the general rule of thumb, where a player’s contract is running down so they have lost a lot of value in terms of what the club could receive.

“Scotland is slightly different because of the finances in general in Scottish football. 

“On top of that, the financial rewards of getting into Europe are so great that, if you have an asset who is going to help you do that, then that adds value. 

“That’s simply it. For us, there is no change at all from where it was last summer or from where it was in January.”

Shankland is back in training following his exploits with Scotland at Euro 2024 in Germany and will travel for Saturday’s friendly with Fleetwood.

And Naisy confirmed Kenneth Vargas and Gerald Taylor are also back in action following their Copa America involvement with Costa Rica.

He said: “Shanks has been fine. He’s been training no problem. Him and Kenneth [Vargas], and even Gerald [Taylor], have only had a couple of weeks off after international duty. 

“You don’t look at them and think they look so unfit because it’s such a short time. Players miss two weeks for a tight calf or a tight hamstring, then they are back and it’s fine.

“This is very much the same and that’s where they are. It’s just about them getting their sharpness, really.

“They hadn’t kicked a ball for two weeks but over the course of a week to 10 days that will come back. 

“The boys who have been on international duty have come back looking good.”

Hearts, meanwhile, have brought 2012 Scottish Cup winning keeper Jamie MacDonald back to the club as part of the club’s B-Team on a one-year deal.

The 38-year-old, who moved onto Kilmarnock, Alloa, Raith, Falkirk and Morton, will look to help the club’s younger keepers develop.

He said: “I’m delighted. It’s where I started in my career and spent a large part of my life here. To come back and be involved with the B Team is exciting for me.

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“It’s a different kind of challenge but one that involves helping the next generation of Hearts players to come through.

“The aim of the B Team is to get the players ready for the first team environment. 

“There’s been success with Aidan Denholm and Macaulay Tait, and that’s what all the other boys should be aspiring to.”

B-Team boss Liam Fox added: “It might seem like an older goalkeeper will block the pathway, but it’s exactly the opposite. 

“We’ve got two goalkeepers who have just turned full-time, one 16 and the other about to turn 16, and we didn’t want to block their path.

“Jamie will help them find the time to develop and make that next step to the B Team in the year to come.”

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