Shankland's three-year Hearts deal pays off with World Cup call-up in 2026

Hearts' decision to offer Shankland a three-year contract with an early release clause proved successful after he earned a World Cup spot.

Contract gamble pays dividends Sporting director Graeme Jones has defended the club's choice to hand Lawrence Shankland a new three-year deal that permitted him to leave after just one season. The 30-year-old Scotland striker and captain joined Rangers shortly after helping Hearts finish second in the Scottish Premiership and later secured his place in Scotland's World Cup squad. Fans expressed disappointment over his surprise departure. Jones addressed the transfer in a Hearts TV interview and also mentioned an upcoming decision regarding midfielder Cammy Devlin's future. ## Club weighs options carefully Jones explained that the decision with Shankland was straightforward a year ago, stating that the club had to decide whether to retain him. The only way to keep him was with the eventual agreement, which came with the risk of losing him if both player and team succeeded. He acknowledged that supporters might feel let down by the arrangement. However, he argued that the outcome justified the risk, as Shankland delivered strong performances and leadership throughout the season. ## Shankland's impact on and off field Jones emphasized the value Shankland provided both in matches and in the dressing room, noting his contributions were crucial to the team's progress. He highlighted that Shankland scored over 20 goals and led by example, despite the disappointment fans felt over his eventual departure. The sporting director stood by the decision, calling it the only viable path forward and expressing gratitude for the time they had with the player. ## Devlin's future remains uncertain Jones described Cammy Devlin's situation as still unresolved after the 27-year-old midfielder joined Australia's squad with his Hearts contract expiring. He confirmed ongoing talks with Devlin's representatives, describing them as positive and hoping for a resolution within the next week. Jones praised Devlin's World Cup inclusion, calling it a significant achievement for the player and expressing pride in his success.