Shankland off the bench to snatch leveller

Lawrence Shankland came off the substitutes bench to underline his importance to Hearts by claiming the equalising goal in a 2-2 draw at St Mirren.

It was a 30th goal of the season for the Scotland striker (pictured) and it arrived after 73 minutes in a game in which James Scott gave The Buddies a great start when he fired the home side ahead after seven minutes. It was his first goal for the club.

Kyosuke Tagawa levelled after 20 minutes for Hearts but James Bolton edged Saints ahead for a second time 45 minutes later. Shankland had the last word.

Alex Cochrane sent a corner into the box and the ball was flicked on and Shankland did the rest with his back to goal.

St Mirren were arguably the better side for most of the game against a much-changed Hearts line-up who earned a point ahead of their clash with second-placed Rangers at Tynecastle on Saturday (12.30).

Elsewhere, Celtic wrapped up the cinch Premiership with an emphatic 5-0 win at Rugby Park against Kilmarnock with Matt O’Reilly netting a double with singles from Adam Idah, Daizen Maeda and James Forrest.

It was their 12th title in 13 seasons and they did it in style on a ground where they have lost on their previous two visits and The Hoops will lift the silverware in their final match at home to St Mirren at Celtic Park on Saturday.