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Lawrence Shankland in Hearts transfer exit confession as striker admits for first time he could leave Tynecastle this summer
Lawrence Shankland has confessed for the first time that he could leave Hearts this summer.
The PFA Scotland Player of the Year has enjoyed the best season of his career after slamming 28 goals across all competitions for the European-bound Jambos. Shankland - who turns 29 in August - is out of contract next summer and talks over an extension stalled in January.
The Scotland striker confirmed both parties will get back around the table at the end of the season but Shankland admitted he has an ambition to play at the highest level - and is determined to secure himself a lucrative contract.
The Tynecastle idol said: "I have a duty and a responsibility to set myself up. I feel like I owe that to myself with how hard I have worked in my career. We all understand the situation. We have had really open conversations about it - Naisy, myself and the club as a whole.
"I am still under contract at Hearts and I would never disrespect that position. I still have ambitions to get to a level. I don't feel like I have got to that level where I am not good enough. It would be nice to kick on, see how far I can go in the game, try to play at a higher level than this. We will see what it brings, but I would never be disrespectful to what I have got at Hearts.
"The club have been great for me since I have gone there and have given me a real platform to perform at a high level with a top Scottish club. I really enjoy it there. If I am there for the next season, then I am more than happy. But I am coming into a position now where I am going into the last season of my contract and conversations will need to be had at some point."
When asked if he could be tempted to England or overseas, Shanks added: "You want to push on. Can I get somewhere where I say, 'Right, that wasn't good enough?'. I don't feel I have experienced that yet. You could finish your career and have regrets and say, 'I wish I had tried that and seen if I could play there'.
"If you get the chance, you try to go and do it. There are loads of leagues all over Europe. I have been abroad before. I will see. I would go abroad again. The people at Hearts want me to progress in my career, as well, and do really well. The main thing is everybody is on the same page. We will see what the summer brings."
