Hearts: Lawrence Shankland speculation 'put to bed' - Steven Naismith
- Published
Hearts received no January bids for in-form Shankland
Talks over a new contract for Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland are on hold now the transfer window is closed, head coach Steven Naismith has confirmed.
Two improved offers were put to the 28-year-old in recent weeks, with his current deal running to 2025.
But Naismith is happy for the Scottish Premiership's top scorer to take his time weighing up his future.
"Nothing has changed from our point of view," said Naismith. "We want Lawrence to be here as long as he can be."
Tynecastle skipper Shankland has 19 goals in all competitions for Hearts this season, having scored 28 last term.
"I'm delighted Shanks has stayed," Naismith said before Saturday's league trip to Dundee.
"All that speculation can now be put to bed, although it didn't really affect him - his performances over the past two or three months have been brilliant.
"We've been speaking to him about a contract and there was a deadline on that (Wednesday), more just to get to an end point at this moment in time, so everything is now just focused on the second part of the season.
"Everything else after that will take care of itself.
"If in the future something can be done, we'll look to do that. Lawrence is at a massively important part of his career so he needs to weigh everything up and if that takes time, then that will take time."
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