KEEPING SHANKS IS A DOUGH BRAINER!

Guaranteed goals should equal bumper contract

- RYAN STEVENSON

HEARTS losing Lawrence Shankland this summer puts the fear of death into me. It really does.

He is away with Scotland at the Euros and it is brilliant to see him involved. I want him to do well for the country and for Hearts.

And there is no doubt he deserves to be out in Germany.

However, the bottom line is Hearts can't afford to let him go as he enters the final year of his contract.

He scored 31 goals last season and had eight assists. He is, frankly, irreplaceable.

Hearts tried to get him on a new deal which was shelved until the summer but I don't see any announcements coming soon.

If it wasn't for Lawrence we wouldn't be talking about looking forward to European football after finishing third in the league.

I have been pondering his possible replacement if he does up sticks this summer but there is nobody who really sticks out.

Okay, Hearts could go and spend £2 or £3million but it might not be the right person. It would be a risk and if the money is there I would break the bank to keep Lawrence and bring in a younger striker who can learn from him.