logo
Could McInnes arrival convince Shankland to stay at Hearts?

Could McInnes arrival convince Shankland to stay at Hearts?

BBC News14 hours ago

Could Lawrence Shankland's history with new Hearts head coach Derek McInnes be key in convincing the striker to stay at the club?Reports in recent days suggest English Championship side West Brom are keen on the Scotland forward, who is currently set to be a free agent this summer.However, former Tynecastle boss Steven Naismith believes McInnes' arrival means "there is more optimism" Shankland will remain in Gorgie.McInnes managed Shankland during his team as Aberdeen manager, but the striker struggled to become a first-team regular during his time at Pittodrie."Like any player, there are more options when you're out of contract," Naismith, who was Hearts boss during Shankland's free-scoring 2023-24 season, said on BBC Sportsound."It gives you a chance to sit and think what's best for you at this stage in your career, but he'll want it sorted before pre-season starts."He's a goal scorer, they are hard to come by. West Brom are linked with him. But with McInnes coming in and having a relationship with him, I think there's more optimism he could stay with Hearts."Hearts fans, how do you feel about the Shankland situation? Will he stay or will he go? Send us your thoughts.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Scotland seek answers in Liechtenstein: Steve Clarke's changes, 'shouldn't be panic' and chance-taker
Scotland seek answers in Liechtenstein: Steve Clarke's changes, 'shouldn't be panic' and chance-taker

Scotsman

time36 minutes ago

  • Scotsman

Scotland seek answers in Liechtenstein: Steve Clarke's changes, 'shouldn't be panic' and chance-taker

In last match before World Cup qualifiers, Clarke and co require a response Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The tranquil setting of Vaduz on the banks of the Rhine should not be a place where further pressure is put on a football manager. Flanked by mountains, visitors usually return refreshed and happy. The small nation of Liechtenstein is currently ranked 202 in the FIFA World rankings. Only Hong Kong have suffered defeat to them in the past five years. Their 'golden' era of most-capped keeper Peter Jehle and star striker Mario Frick are long gone. Konrad Fünfstück's are usually deemed as easy prey for opponents of any meaningful repute. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scotland fall into that category as they arrive at the Rheinpark Stadion on the Swiss border. This is down as an away win, with odds of 1/12 from most bookmakers. San Marino scored three times when they rocked up here in November. It was an evening of anguish for Scotland against Iceland last time out. | SNS Group History with Liechtenstein won't ease any queasiness, mind you. On Scotland's only previous sojourn to Vaduz in 2011, they narrowly prevailed 1-0 thanks to a goal from Craig Mackail-Smith. That came a year on from an almost catastrophic first meeting with Liechtenstein, when Stephen McManus' 97th-minute header earned a 2-1 win at Hampden. The last match of a long season, many in the Scotland squad are entitled to feel jaded. There have been title wins, cup successes and long European runs. This probably isn't their idea of an Alpine retreat. Nevertheless, Scotland need to tool up for one final job ahead of the holidays. A meek 3-1 defeat by Iceland on Friday night and the lacklustre nature of the performance requires a response. This is the last time head coach Steve Clarke will have his squad together before the World Cup qualification campaign kicks off in September against Denmark. The Parken Stadion will be a world away from the docile 7,584 arena they play in on Monday evening. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scotland 'need to win their next game' Scotland will want to bounce into the autumn matches, of that there is no doubt. Their recent record in friendlies is poor and Clarke wanted to address that in this double-header. Iceland has come and gone, now it's about doing a number on Liechtenstein. "We need to win our next game on Monday night," was the blunt assessment of midfielder Lewis Ferguson after Iceland. "We need to go and put on a good performance and win the game. Winning games is what breeds confidence. We need to get back to that." Clarke himself admits he is not the most adventurous when it comes to mixing it up with team selection. The manager may have been wrestling with whether to give his main men a chance to atone for Friday and get a much-needed triumph under their belt in Scotland colours, or blood some of the uncapped players in his current group. As it is, injury and fatigue may play a part, with Clarke accepting he may make more alterations than usual. The likes of Josh Doig, Andy Irving and Kieron Bowie will be desperate for game-time and their international debuts. A maiden appearance may come between the sticks after Cieran Slicker was unceremoniously thrown in at the deep end for his first senior appearance for club or country against Iceland after Angus Gunn's second-minute injury and was at fault for all three goals. Celtic-bound keeper Ross Doohan has been summoned from his holidays to join the squad. Doohan has made 20 appearances for Aberdeen this season and seems likely to make his debut, having been solid at Pittodrie all season. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad One may ask why he wasn't in the squad ahead of others. One may also ask why Clarke reverted back to a back-three against Iceland when the back-four had been a reasonable success in the Nations League A campaign against more glamourous opposition. Kieran Tierney's injury may force a formation change. Scott McTominay, the poster boy after Serie A success with Napoli, will also be absent due to a niggle. That means Clarke doesn't need to find the best way to shoe-horn all of his top-level midfielders into one team. It is hard to get Ferguson, John McGinn, Billy Gilmour and McTominay effectively on the pitch at the same time. Craig Mackail-Smith scores the winner against Liechtenstein for Scotland back in 2011. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602 And then there are the strikers. Che Adams has not scored for Scotland in a year, and the Torino hitman must sense an opportunity against Liechtenstein. They are rarely scudded, but Adams will surely get chances if selected ahead of George Hirst as Clarke's No 9. He needs to take them. Within the squad, there is awareness of the talent at Scotland's disposal. "There shouldn't be any panic," Ferguson advised. "We've good strong squad, with plenty of quality and experience. But we do recognise that we need to get back to winning ways and get back to performing at the levels we know we're capable of." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad

Former All Blacks captain Wilson dies aged 70
Former All Blacks captain Wilson dies aged 70

Reuters

time2 hours ago

  • Reuters

Former All Blacks captain Wilson dies aged 70

June 9 (Reuters) - Former All Blacks captain Stu Wilson died on Sunday at the age of 70, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) said. Wilson made his debut in 1976 and played in 34 tests, scoring 19 test tries and becoming the first wing to captain the All Blacks when he led the side in their tour of Scotland and England in 1983. He was also part of their 4-0 series win over the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand in 1983, scoring a hat-trick of tries in the fourth test. Former All Blacks loose forward Murray Mexted said his former teammate "lived life with a smile on his face". "We called him Super Stu because he was a super rugby player," he told Radio New Zealand on Monday. "He just seemed to slide through gaps effortlessly and he was so good at it that they moved him into centre at one stage." Wilson also made 89 appearances for Wellington between 1975 and 1984, scoring 216 points. "Beyond his playing career, Wilson remained an influential voice in the game, contributing as a commentator and advocate for rugby, always bringing insight and passion to his analysis," the Wellington Rugby Football Union said in a statement. "Stu Wilson's contribution to rugby in Wellington and New Zealand is immeasurable. He was more than just a world-class player; he was a proud ambassador for the sport, his province, and his country."

Snoop Dogg says he hopes to open burger van at Celtic Park
Snoop Dogg says he hopes to open burger van at Celtic Park

Sky News

time4 hours ago

  • Sky News

Snoop Dogg says he hopes to open burger van at Celtic Park

Snoop Dogg says he hopes to set up a burger van at Celtic's stadium and wants to serve fans himself. The US rapper, 53, has described the football club's supporters as "special" and the best fans in European football. And Snoop, who played Glasgow 's OVO Hydro arena in 2023, has also said he strongly identifies with the club's mascot Hoopy the Hound. He said a fast-food van at Celtic Park would become a foodie "Paradise" which is a nickname for the ground in the Parkhead area of the city. Snoop told the Sunday Mail: "I would love to bring a pop-up burger [van] to a sports stadium to show fans that food at stadiums can be good. "It's got to be Celtic Park, man. The secret to a good burger is the love in the preparation. The ground beef has got to be mixed with some secret spices, then add a good quality cheese and some maple-cured bacon. "The Celtic fans are gonna love it, and to make sure they are just right, Snoop is going to be serving them himself." But he said he would not be taking his culinary ventures to Rangers - Celtic's Old Firm rivals at Ibrox. The Drop It Like It's Hot star told the paper: "Am I going to bring my burgers to Rangers as well? Nah, I think we will give that a miss." The musician has previously spoken of investing in Celtic, similar to Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds's involvement with Wrexham FC. Snoop has already published a cookbook and claims to have spoken to chef Gordon Ramsay about a possible venture in Glasgow together. The keen sports fan worked as a correspondent for NBC at the Paris Olympics last year, and has launched two youth football leagues, as well as being a vocal advocate for pay equality for female athletes.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store