Shankland 'won't dwell' on goal drought - Naismith

Lawrence Shankland was an unused Scotland substitute against Croatia

Steven Naismith believes Lawrence Shankland is "not going to dwell" on his scoring dry spell and expects the striker to recover his best form.

Last season's PFA Scotland player of the year, 29, has scored just once in 18 Hearts appearances this season and was on the bench as Scotland beat Croatia 1-0 in Friday's Nations League match.

Naismith signed Shankland for Hearts in 2022 and left the head coach's role at Tynecastle earlier this season after a run of eight defeats.

"The last two seasons, what he's achieved is incredible itself," said Naismith on BBC Radio Scotland's Off the Ball.

"It impacted us because he was our talisman. Everything that could go against him is at the moment.

"Consistently going at that level and at that rate, it was always going to be a big challenge. Players go through that.

"The one thing from knowing him and speaking to him, he's not going to dwell on it. He will come back. He'll score one then he'll just start scoring again. I wouldn't be surprised if one will go in off his shin and then he'll be back. It happens with goal scorers all the time."

Former Scotland forward Naismith - who played for Kilmarnock, Rangers, Everton, Norwich City and Hearts at club level - took over as Hearts boss in April 2023 and in his first full season in charge secured a third-place Scottish Premiership finish.

However, an early-season exit from the Scottish League Cup combined with poor league form and dropping from the Europa to the Conference League eventually led to his sacking.

And, asked if he was keen to get back into management, Naismith said: "No, not at the moment.

"I've just enjoyed the time off. I've never been in this situation before."