It is looking more and more likely Lawrence Shankland will leave Hearts at the end of this season.
The captain admitted as much recently with no new contract offer on the table from the Tynecastle club after he refused to sign the previous one that was put to him.
Shankland pointed out you never know what can happen but as it stands his contract is due to expire and he will soon be free to speak to other clubs about a summer switch.
What options the 29-year-old may have is another matter.
A year ago clubs would have been queuing up to pay money for him let alone land him as a freebie.
But after two seasons in which he plundered over 50 goals in maroon he has found the net just once in this campaign.
That could see his options limited while the Jambos themselves are less likely to offer as lucrative a contract as they were prepared to before.
Hearts are already looking for a new striker as they use Jamestown Analytics in their recruitment.
Blair Spittal addresses Shankland Hearts exit talk
Blair Spittal played with Shankland at Queen’s Park in League Two when both were talented young players looking to work their way back up the pyramid.
Both managed that and found themselves as teammates again in the summer when Spittal moved to Tynecastle from Motherwell.
They could well be separated again soon though but the midfielder insists the talk around Shankland’s probable exit isn’t affecting him or the rest of the squad.
Spittal said: “Not at all. In football these days it’s common for boys to go into the last year of their contracts.
“It’s not affected the changing room – or Lawrence. Whatever happens happens and we just need to concentrate on what we’re doing.
“We have a really busy schedule coming up and those sort of things will take care of themselves whenever that is.
“Lawrence’s main focus at the minute is on making sure he’s putting in good performances and getting back on the scoresheet.”
Spittal keeps faith with Shankland
Shankland has largely still been contributing with good performances and assists despite his barren spell, except for maybe a couple of games.
Spittal insists there are no concerns around his mate’s form and remains confident he will start bulging nets again soon.
“I don’t think so,” he added. “It’s something he’s obviously not used to especially in the last two seasons where he’s been constantly scoring goals.
“But the last couple of weeks his performances have been really good in terms of working the whole backline.
“I’ve played with him before. I know what Lawrence is capable of.
“I know he will dust himself down and keep going. If he keeps getting into positions it will turn.
“The last thing you can do is let your head go down and there’s been no signs of that with Lawrence.”