Naismith: Shanks is the man for Scots

Hearts boss Steven Naismith has hailed Lawrence Shankland as Scotland’s most “natural striker” and is adamant that his captain will be heading to Euro 2024.

Shankland started in last Friday’s 4-0 thrashing to the Netherlands and put in an encouraging display despite failing to score from a good opportunity.

The 28-year-old, who has notched 27 goals at club level this season, then climbed off the bench in the second half of Tuesday’s disappointing defeat to Northern Ireland at Hampden.

Former Dundee United forward Shankland, who has now won nine caps for his country, is up against Southampton’s Che Adams and Queens Park Rangers marksman Lyndon Dykes to lead the line in Germany but Naismith reckons the forward has done his chances no harm.

Naismith said: “He is a guy that will always get chances, I know it first-hand from being in the Hearts team. He will take his chances and for me the debate used to be, is he worth being in the Euros squad?

“I think he will be in the Euros squad, I think he is an asset for us.

“There’s a lot of football to be played and the three strikers have different traits but the most natural finisher is Shanks, for me.

“The strikers in the squad have all got their own strengths but Shanks is the mostaccomplished striker and finisher.

“With Shanks’ intelligence around the final third, he will get chances. He misses his chances all the time but he is always there for the next one to take it.”

Shankland will look to get back on the goal trail when Hearts host Kilmarnock on Saturday.

Naismith’s side are currently 11 points clear of fourth-placed Killie in the race for third spot in the Premiership.