Lawrence Shankland: Talks over a new deal for Hearts captain will wait until 'right moment'
- Published
Lawrence Shankland has 18 months left on his current Hearts contract
Heart of Midlothian and Lawrence Shankland will wait until "the right moment" before starting talks over a new contract for the club captain, says head coach Steven Naismith.
The Scotland striker, who has scored 39 goals in 68 games since signing for the Tynecastle club in July 2022, has 18 months remaining on his current deal.
But Naismith says there is no immediate rush to extend terms.
"It's not something you jump on straight away," the Hearts boss said.
"He is a very important player at the club. He is very highly valued at the club. He knows that and everybody around the club knows that."
After scoring 28 goals in his debut season at the club last term, 28-year-old Shankland started the current campaign with five strikes in six games but went on an eight-match drought between the end of August and late October.
However, he has gone on to net seven times in his last nine games, including a stoppage-time equaliser for Scotland in Georgia last month, and Naismith is keen for the striker to keep his focus on matters on the pitch rather than a new deal.
"Those conversations will happen at the right time, but we will see," the Hearts boss added. "At the moment, it's just focusing on this good run and for him to continue what he is doing."
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