Lawrence Shankland has himself admitted that things “just aren’t happening” for him just now.
The Hearts skipper, a goal machine for his first two seasons in maroon, has found the net just ONCE this campaign.
That’s a far cry from his haul of 31 last season which took him to over 50 for the Jambos after two years since joining from Belgian side Beerschot.
The 29-year-old still has the armband and continues to be picked by new manager Neil Critchley, partly because of a lack of alternatives but also because of what he brings to the side.
Shankland personally took the blame for Hearts’ missed opportunity against Heidenehim but a teammate praised him to the hilt for his ‘outstanding’ contribution against Rangers.
Ryan Stevenson blasts Shankland ‘not trying’ claims
It has been a frustrating time for Hearts fans.
Bouncing about at the bottom of the table will do that to you but when your talisman is toiling to find the net noow, that will play a part too.
Some still see the value Shankland brings in terms of his all-round play and hope the goals return.
Others have chosen to accuse him of being lazy and not trying because he doesn’t want to be at the club anymore, with his contract up in the summer having rejected a previous offer.
But that has annoyed former Jambos star Ryan Stevenson.
He told the Daily Record: “I’ll tell you what though – those critics suggesting he isn’t trying are miles off. 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 others 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 is going to have to find his way out of it.”
Shankland situation highlights poor recruitment
Shankland could probably do with a short spell out the team to rest. Even the luxury of being able to be subbed off a bit more often to save the legs.
But he is needed for almost every minute of Hearts action, which won’t be doing him any favours.
Stevenson is of the belief that some time on the bench could benefit him but he simply can’t have it because of a dearth of options.
Kenneth Vargas is another used in attack but Liam Boyce is way out of the picture and the other option is 17-year-old James Wilson.
And that comes back to the recruitment done in the summer window when Kyosuke Tagawa was sold and no other striker was brought in.
He added: “But, despite all I’ve just said, he needs to start against Celtic when they return from the winter break. Why? Mainly because Hearts have nobody else. Which is an indictment on the summer recruitment.
“Against Celtic you need the experience and the intelligence he brings. Someone who can hold the ball up and understands the game playing against Carter-Vickers.
“I’m like a broken record saying they need another striker or two to ease the burden. Hopefully Critchley can solve that in January with a couple of good signings. He knows the English market so he must have a few in mind already.”