Former Hearts star Michael Stewart is of the view that Jambos must offer Celtic target Lawrence Shankland a big money contract to stop him from leaving.
The 28-year-old is in impressive form this season and has turned some heads by scoring 16 goals in all competitions for Hearts.
It is suggested that Celtic, who are looking to strengthen their forward department, are interested in bringing Shankland to Parkhead to add to Brendan Rodgers’ attacking options.
Stewart believes that with each passing game, Shankland is proving to be a priceless part of the Hearts team and urged the Jam Tarts to offer him a new contract to stop the Celtic target leaving.
“With every passing game, he becomes more and more priceless and valuable for Hearts”, Stewart said on BBC Radio Scotland.
“They cannot afford to lose him.
‘From Lawrence Shankland’s perspective, his role within the club has become stronger and stronger.
“If the club want to keep him, then they need to give him a new deal.
‘They need to pay him big money to keep him, or there are going to be suitors out there and it becomes a very difficult situation for Shankland as a player where he needs to get paid more here to keep him at the club or they have to accept a big bid and he goes.”
Hearts won 1-0 at Hibernian on Wednesday evening thanks to a late goal for Shankland and the Jambos sit in third spot in the Scottish Premiership table.
