THE No.1 No.9
Shanks and Bojan debate is great for game – but Jambos ace is my top pick
LAWRENCE SHANKLAND or Bojan Miovski? It’s a debate that’s becoming more intense with every bulge of the net from Scotland’s hottest frontmen.
Steven Naismith this week dubbed the Hearts skipper the best striker in the country after he hit his 50th Jambos goal in just his 79th game.
But 24 hours earlier, his opposite number at Aberdeen Neil Warnock claimed after one game in charge that the tag belongs with his No.9 Miovski.
It’s a brilliant talker and so refreshing for the Scottish game because when was the last time this question was asked and neither of the top two candidates were at the Old Firm? Not in my lifetime.
But those two are streets ahead of everyone else this season and nobody can argue with that.
Kyogo Furuhashi was the main man last term but it’s just not happening for the Celtic striker now.
Whereas every time Shankland or Miovski step on a pitch, against any opposition, you fancy them to score.
Back to the question though and I don’t think anyone will be surprised by my answer. Shanks is No.1.
Listen, Miovski is a very good striker and anyone who can notch against the Old Firm regularly is worth their weight in gold.
Both Shankland and Miovski have done it regularly – in fact both have netted twice against both Celtic and rangers this season.
They’re different types of strikers. Miovski is an athlete and a strong runner while also being a very good finisher.
Shankland is on a different level. An out-and-out goalscorer.
His strike against St Johnstone on Wednesday was unbelievable. His touch, strength, finish – brilliant.
I was at the game against Aberdeen the other week and his goal with the outside of his foot was incredible.
He’s in such good form that I was out of my seat celebrating before anyone else because I just knew it was going in.
His 50 goals in 79 games for Hearts is ridiculous. It’s John robertson territory and that’s a comparison never made lightly around Gorgie.
Only once did robbo get 50 goals across two seasons – in 1986/87 and 1987/88 – but Shankland looks like he’s going to get 60. At least.
Which makes me think he might have a tougher decision to make than anyone realises if a big club comes calling in the summer.
Why? Because I’d say to him that not many footballers in their lifetime have the chance to become proper legends at a club where they have a special affiliation with the fans.
And Lawrence has that at Tynecastle right now.
We all know how well robbo is thought of. His picture and name is everywhere you look around Gorgie road. Lawrence has a chance to get himself into that kind of folklore.
His story is really inspiring.
You have to remember he was looking at getting a job with DPD parcel service when he left Aberdeen before joining Ayr United just over six years ago.
even there he would struggle to deliver with the regularity he is producing at Hearts.
In all seriousness that situation shines a light on his determination and hunger to get back to the top.
I remember when I went to Ayr. My time there was unbelievable. I walked in for training on a Tuesday and Thursday and saw my team-mates arriving from building sites and other places of work.
That grounded me. The same happened with Lawrence.
Now you see him captaining Hearts, leading the Premiership scoring charts, scoring for Scotland and surely being in line for a place on the plane to the euros.
Yet not so long ago he was looking at getting a delivery job.
What an inspiration for boys playing in the Championship and League One. Shankland will make a decision on his future when the time is right. Hearts are a massive club. I imagine the new contract he has been offered will be good money.
He might not have signed that deal but Hearts fans will just be delighted he’s still around. even £5million wouldn’t have swayed me into letting him go, he’s that important.
The biggest compliment I can pay him is that most players – certainly myself – would have had their head swayed by the speculation in January. But he actually got better.
He will be crucial again against Airdrie in the Cup tomorrow.
This is a huge game for Hearts and Naismith will know it. The Scottish Cup is their best chance of silverware.
Who cares if it’s not pretty? right now they keep finding a way to win and that’s what makes a good team.