Lawrence Shankland has cut a frustrated figure for most of this season so far.
The Hearts captain has gone from a blockbuster 31-goal season and 59 strikes during his first two campaigns in maroon, to finding the net just the once so far.
Last season some claimed the Jambos were too reliant on the frontman with others not stepping up to the plate. That has proved to be the case because as soon as he’s found himself out of form, so has the team who were bottom of the Premiership before Saturday’s win over St Mirren.
That 4-0 victory will have done a lot to lift the mood around Tynecastle and will have started to convince some fans about new manager Neil Critchley after some backlash to the appointment.
However, there was one moment involving Shankland that could cause concern.
Hearts fan reaction to Shankland moment
The 29-year-old was subbed by Critchley on 65 minutes with the Jambos 2-0 up and cruising. Shankland had pulled out of the Scotland squad last week with a hamstring problem and was perhaps just being looked after in that regard.
However, supporters spotted their leader walking straight up the tunnel after being hooked and then not coming out to acknowledge those in the stands along with his teammates after full-time and some think there may be a problem there.
One wrote on social media: “Immediately running up the tunnel at full time, while his team mates acknowledged the fans, was disgraceful behaviour for a so-called captain. A great player but not a captain. Petulant and pathetic.”
Another said: “The biggest disappointment today was Shankland down the tunnel at full time. Not the behaviour I’m wanting from any supposed ‘captain’ at Heart of Midlothian.”
Another added: “Another terrible showing from the ‘captain’ and deservedly subbed. Needs to get his act together a his attitude is awful. No player is bigger than the club.”
While another ominously added: “He’s done. Never forget his couple of seasons but that’s it now.”
However, not everyone was on the negative train about the situation with some Jambos thinking there is likely a perfectly logical explanation for it all.
One said: “Delighted to see NC sub off Shankland today, but I’m absolutely not having this “he’s in a huff” stuff. The bloke pulled out of Scotland duty due to a hamstring complaint. I’d imagine NC had a word and asked how long he could play today… answer? An hour… at 2-0 up there was absolutely no need to risk him further given packed schedule and big games coming up. If he’s in a huff it’s because the goals aren’t flowing for him, personally I’d want all my strikers to be raging if they don’t score.”
Another said: “He’s kept the captaincy, got an assist and hasn’t thrown the toys out of the pram as far as I can see. If anything he needs to be scoring to get whatever contract he feels he wants. Hopefully scores on Sunday.”
While another added: “People round me saying he done nothing all game. People though forget that first goal was going to be key and he played a massive part in it with a lovely pass. I get he looks huffy at times but he is not exactly getting great chances to score which must frustrate him.”
Is there an issue with Shankland at Hearts?
The instant reaction to things like this can be to read too much into it and assume there is something big at play. But it’s important to remember it’s not always the case.
Shankland is renowned for negative body language when things are not going his way and that led to a similar debate last season when he went through a goal drought early on in the campaign.
After that, he went on to bang in 31 goals, the best goalscoring campaign of his career and won the adulation of the Gorgie faithful.
So it probably is reading too much into it to assume there is an issue this time around. And he can certainly put it to bed by scoring in Europe this Thursday and against Hibs on Sunday!