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Lawrence Shankland is in 'horrible' Hearts position but one claim doesn't wash
Ryan Stevenson insists it's nonsense to suggest Lawrence Shankland has downed tools at Hearts.
The striker is enduring the most troublesome goal drought of his career having drawn a blank in his last nine games. Shankland has netted just once all season - a far cry from his 33-goal campaign that saw him crowned PFA Player of the Year last term. The Scotland star himself admitted that he's fallen well short of the standards that have made him a Tynecastle hero.
With just six months left of his contract, rumours of a move to Rangers refuse to go away, despite the fact the Ibrox club overlooked a deal in the summer. And while the uncertainty over his future may be unsettling, ex-Jambos man Stevenson refuses to buy into the suggestion that the 29-year-old isn't trying his best to turn things around.
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He told the Daily Record: "I've banged the Shankland drum for years but even I've got to admit the pressure now looks to be taking its toll on the HEARTS skipper. I'd have taken him off against Rangers on Sunday, I've got to be honest. We are all scratching our heads wondering what's happened. I honestly think it's due to Lawrence trying too hard every time he steps on the pitch.
"I've heard folk say Lawrence has downed tools. Absolute nonsense. That would be career suicide at this stage as he enters the last six months of his contract. If his form in front of goal stays the same then that amazing deal he had on the table from Hearts which he turned down in January might not resurface.
"Right now it's off the table remember and there were no offers from other clubs that came in during the last window. Lawrence is now entering a bit of deep water. I've been there myself in my career.
"Get to this stage of your contract and with your form maybe not what it was and it becomes horrible. This is your livelihood we're talking about. So why on earth would anyone jeopardise that by downing tools? Lawrence is in a horrible position if his form doesn't pick up. I feel for him. But at the same time he's going to have to find his way out of it."
