Lawrence Shankland: Hearts is ‘best option’ for out-of-contract striker, says head coach Derek McInnes | Football News

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Derek Mcinnes thinks that Hearts is the “best option” for Lawrence Shankland but admits that a decision must be made “as soon as possible”.

The attacker is without contract to Tynecastle Park and has not yet accepted a new agreement because he also considers other options at his disposal.

Shankland fought for the form last season, but had four and provided two assists in the last four games of the club of the season, bringing its total to 68 goals in 137 appearances.

The 29 -year -old, who has 16 ceilings for Scotland, received a three -year extension with Mcinnes wishing to keep it.

“I am in constant dialogue with Lawrence, I also spoke to her agents several times in recent weeks, but Lawrence obviously has a lot to consider,” said head coach of the new Hearts Sky Sports News.

“We think we are a really strong option for him, that we are the best option in the eyes of Lawrence that we have to wait and see, but there will be a point that we have to trace a line under her and Lawrence must take care of him and I have to take care of the hearts.

“I hope we can find a solution because he is a player who, I think, can really prosper with us in Hearts.

“He showed in time here how important he is and you try not to leave players like that to leave the door without putting the best fight you can and we are in the fight for him.

“I believe that we are a really strong option for Lawrence, I think we are the best option for him right now, he has the World Cup to try to get involved at the end of next season.

“There are many reasons why Lawrence could see it as a good option for him. I hope I say it, we are his best option and at the minute, we are in the fight to keep it.

“I always think that deadlines are not always healthy and can sometimes be a little antagonistic, but there have been enough conversations with Lawrence.

“There will be a point where he will have to move on and try to secure his future and I must also make sure that we are securing our team in the future, but we are not yet at this stage, but sooner than late, really to try to solve this problem because I also want to clarity in what I am doing and I am sure that Lawrence is also clarity.”

Six new players moved to Hearts this summer while Kabangu joined a permanent agreement after eating the loan from Union Saint-Gilloise.

Mcinnes hopes to strengthen his team more as he seeks to bring them back to the top-six after a disappointing campaign that saw two head coaches, Steven Naismith and Neil Crichley, leave the club.

“We are simply trying to identify perhaps different types and players which, in our opinion, makes us more competitive and a little more rounded,” added the former boss of Kilmarnock.

“We would always like to try to bring a little more width to the team, especially on this right side and that was our goal per minute.

“These things are constant to be honest. There are a lot to do Jamestown analysis and the involvement of this and for that, I am very lucky.

“I think we have this kind of knowledge to support any decision we make on the transfer market, but these are players.

“I just want to work with good players and I think we have a lot of good players in the building and if we can add one or two more between now and the opening match of the season, I will be delighted.

“These things are never easy and simple, but a lot of signatures we have made, I think we are encouraged and I hope there is a little more to come.”