Former Hearts man Allan Preston has insisted that Celtic and Rangers missed a trick by not trying to sign Lawrence Shankland in the winter transfer window.
The Hearts captain was at it again on Sunday when he scored in his side’s 2-0 win over Celtic at Tynecastle.
It was his 20th goal of the Scottish Premiership campaign in 29 appearances and his 27th strike in all competitions this season.
There was speculation of the forward joining either Celtic or Rangers in the January transfer window but neither of the two Glasgow clubs made a move for him.
Preston insisted that he would be scoring more goals for a team that create more chances and stressed that Celtic and Rangers made an error by not trying to sign Shankland.
However, the former Hearts defender is keen to see the forward sign a new contract with the club and extend his stay at Tynecastle.
Preston said on BBC Radio Scotland: “Look at how many goals he has scored for Hearts, how many would he score for Celtic or Rangers?
“Hearts fans don’t get on at me by saying that I want him to go to Celtic or Rangers, I don’t; I want him to stay here for as long as he wants to stay here.
“But I just think that it was a missed opportunity for either of them in the January window.
“It was brilliant for Hearts and I sincerely hope that he signs an extension at Tynecastle.”
Shankland will enter the final year of his current contract with Hearts in the summer.
