Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland wins SPFL Premiership award.
Scotland striker scores goals as Edinburgh team leads the SPFL Premiership. Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland has been named William Hill Premiership Player of the Month for September.
The 30-year-old has been in impressive form recently, scoring three goals in two games, bringing his total to seven in 11 appearances this season.
Although his strong record did not earn him a Scotland call-up for this month’s World Cup qualifiers against Greece and Belarus, Shankland has received appreciation from the Scottish Professional Football League. They named him the top-flight’s most influential player in September as a result of his performances in maroon.
Hearts only played twice in September, defeating Rangers 2-0 for their first victory at Ibrox since 2014 and first top-flight win since 2012.
Shankland scored both goals, one with a stunning left-footed strike and the other from a rebound after Rangers custodian Jack Butland saved his second-half penalty. Shankland scored in a 3-0 victory over Falkirk the following week and has been a vital player under Tynecastle manager Derek McInnes.
Hearts have won six and drawn one of their league games this season, climbing to the top of the Premiership table, two points ahead of champions Celtic.
“With seven goals in 11 games, the captain has been an instrumental part in Hearts’ unbeaten start to the Premiership campaign, which most recently saw a dramatic Edinburgh derby win against Hibs, a result that keeps the Jambos top of the league.” Following Saturday’s win over Hibs, McInnes stated that he expects Hearts to improve in the coming weeks.
“The players train with motivation, they train professionally, so I’m not looking for any more, I don’t think they can give any more in terms of that,” replied McInnes. “We’ve got players coming back as well. We have a few injured, and there are a few people sitting in the stands today.
We’ve got good players, which shows you the depth; we’ve got Ageu, who should be back for Kilmarnock [in two weeks], Frankie Kent, who will be back for Celtic, and [Islam] Chesnokov, who will arrive in January, so there’s already some beef to the squad, some strength to it.
“I believe we can improve through additions and player availability, but we must acknowledge that there have been a lot of tight games, and we must continue to work hard for everything we receive. Everyone at Hearts is keen for success, but we must realise that there is still work to be done.
“We were a bottom-six club last season, and it is not as simple as flipping a switch to improve things. You’ll have to acknowledge this.
Can you accomplish your job better than your competitors Monday through Friday? Can you, in addition to having good players, recognise this? “We’re not all that unless we keep working and trying to improve.”
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