'Shankland in top bracket of Hearts legends' - Naismith

Lawrence Shankland has scored 68 goals and contributed 23 assists in 137 appearances for Hearts

Lawrence Shankland has elevated himself to legendary status at Heart of Midlothian, according to his former head coach, Steven Naismith.

The 29-year-old Scotland striker signed a new three-year contract at Tynecastle earlier this week to end months of speculation surrounding his future.

Shankland was out of contract and had turned down earlier offers to stay in the Scottish capital.

But, by committing himself to Hearts, Naismith - a former Hearts player and head coach - believes Shankland is now up there with the likes of John Robertson and Craig Levein.

"Him signing this deal puts him right in the top bracket of Hearts legends," Naismith said on BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound.

"He's up with the rest of them and that's only going to get better as he scores more goals.

"For the club and fans, it's as big as any signing that's going to come in."

While many Hearts supporters had resigned themselves to a future without Shankland, Naismith says he was "calm" over the contract situation and says a drawn-out process was inevitable given the striker's goal-scoring record.

In two of the past three league seasons, he has scored more than 20 league goals, bagging 68 in total.

"When there's a player at that age performing at that level, they are going to take their time and see what's out there," Naismith added.

"I was very calm about it all. Shanks was going to have interest because his levels were so high, but I also did know how much he loves Hearts and how well he was liked."