The skipper finally returned from a nine-week absence to help Derek McInnes’ side dump Dundee on Saturday
Lawrence Shankland
Pumped-up Lawrence Shankland says the belief driving Hearts’ title bid helped drag him through the longest injury lay-off of his career.
The skipper finally returned from a nine-week absence to help Derek McInnes’ side dump Dundee on Saturday and ensure they head into April still top of the table.
Shankland was in top form before being struck down by a hamstring injury midway through January.
But his team mates managed to keep their noses ahead of Celtic and Rangers in his absence.
And Shankland says the team spirit inside Tynecastle is absolutely massive as they look to produce something magical over the next two months.
He said: “That nine weeks was probably the longest injury absence I’ve had.
“It was pretty strange at times but myself and a few injured players were a good group.
“We rallied round and supported each other and supported the team as well.
“When the team’s all going in the same direction, everybody believing to try and achieve something, that helps the buy-in.
“Usually you’re sitting on the side hoping they do well but not too good, so that you can get yourself back in. But the feeling was certainly different this time.
“Everybody in the collective was really good in supporting each other and it was good to be a part of that.”
Boss McInnes insists Hearts are only going to get stronger in the business end of this sensational three-way title tussle.
Cammy Devlin joined Shankland in returning from a lengthy lay-off on Saturday and key men Craig Halkett, Stuart Findlay, Harry Milne, Stephen Kingsley and Tomas Magnusson are close to comebacks too. Next up after the international break is a trip to face rock bottom Livingston.
Hearts manager Derek McInnes celebrates (Image: SNS Group)
And Shankland said: “It’s the same, every time we go out there we try and win our next game.
“We’ve done that well through this season and that’s all we need to keep doing, just keep approaching one game at a time.”
Shankland admits he’s watching Hearts’ Old Firm title rivals, and willing them to lose every week.
Asked if he checks out the Glasgow duo on TV hoping for a boost to Hearts’ position, he said: “Of course. You want everybody around you to lose.
“As long as we keep winning our games we don’t need to concern ourselves – but come on the other teams.”