Lawrence Shankland's 30th of the season rescued a point for Hearts
Lawrence Shankland says he faces a "big decision" on his future after his 30th Hearts goal of the season rescued a draw against St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership.
The Hearts captain came on as a second-half substitute to shake up a heavily rotated side, and typically came up with a vital moment of brilliance.
After Alex Cochrane's corner was flicked on, Shankland hooked a shot back over his shoulder while facing away from goal, and the ball dropped over St Mirren goalkeeper Zach Hemming.
It was the highlight of a scrappy end-of-season game with nothing at stake, with Hearts having wrapped up third and St Mirren securing fifth and a Europa Conference League spot.
"It's a place where I've been admired by everyone and it's a nice feeling," Shankland told BBC Scotland.
"I've felt that right from the off and my performances have shown that as well.
"But I'm in the last year of my contract and the summer is when conversations will be had between me and the club.
"I've been really open about it. The club made an effort to keep me in January and gave me a contract but I felt it wasn't the right time to do it.
"It's a big decision for me and my family. Getting to the age I am, I really need to think about them and life after football as well."
In Paisley, St Mirren started the better and and got themselves in front when James Scott hooked in his first for the club.
When Hearts levelled through Kyosuke Tagawa it was against the run of play, and St Mirren were perhaps ruing some of their missed opportunities.
That was until Caolan Boyd-Munce whipped in a brilliant cross from the left for James Bolton, who nodded the home side back in front.
But it was fitting that Shankland, having had such a dream season, got to number 30 in such style, emphasising his importance to Hearts.
Player of the match - Keanu Baccus (St Mirren)
Baccus was absolutely everywhere for St Mirren, driving them forward from midfield.
Spectacular Shankland hits milestone - analysis
The fact Shankland started on the bench told you there was nothing in stake in this game. But try telling him that.
He was desperate to become the first Hearts player since John Robertson in 1987-88 to score 30 goals in a single season.
He's done it, and his highlights reel is special too. Whether it's right foot, left foot, headers, inside the box or outside, he has scored nearly every type of goal.
This one was a pearler, finding the bottom corner blind. It has been a spectacular season from Shankland, he has been the main reason Hearts have coasted to third place and Europa League football.
St Mirren too will be in Europe next season, after Dundee's defeat at Ibrox on Tuesday confirmed they will compete in continental competition for the first time since 1987.
This game typified what they have done well this season. Off the ball they are brilliant at squeezing teams, and when they win it they get forward quickly and bombard the box.
Baccus was outstanding and it is a shame he looks likely to move on with his contract up, but they are in safe hands with Robinson at the helm.
The Northern Irishman has overseen progress again this season, and he will relish taking this team into the Conference League qualifiers.
What they said
St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson: "I thought it was a really good game. Our press was poor in the first half and they played it round us at times. Second half we were much better and it could have been a lot more.
"A draw was probably a fair result and Lawrence Shankland didn't deserve to be on the losing side with a finish like that. He seems to save his best goals for against us.
Hearts manager Steven Naismith: "It was a game you could tell both teams were playing with freedom. I was pleased with a lot of the passing and braver passes.
"Everybody wanted the ball. We go behind and the goals, we could do better with those. But it's a strength of St Mirren to put the ball in the box and commit, and we get caught with that.
"But our reaction was really good. We get one back quite quickly both times we went behind and that's been one of the most pleasing aspects of the season."
What's next?
St Mirren visit champions Celtic in their final game on Saturday (12:30 BST) while Hearts finish at home to Rangers at the same time.
