Derek McInnes explained to the media during a press briefing at The Oriam why having Lawrence Shankland on board was so crucial for new-look Hearts.
The pair previously worked together when the Scotland international was at Aberdeen between 2013 and 2017 – he made 17 appearances and failed to score and went on loan to four clubs – but the new head coach said the 29-year-old striker brings experience, composure, touch and leadership qualities to his team.
The ex-Kilmarnock and Aberdeen boss added: “We’re signing him because he knows the way to goal, he knows the league.
“We have others (strikers) who’ve got so many other attributes, but, in terms of natural finishers, we’re not blessed with too many.”
Shankland has stated that he wants to score 100 goals for the Men in Maroon but, he stressed, winning a trophy was more important and the Glasgow-born forward said: “It’s not easy.”
Defender James Penrice signed for AEK Athens within hours of Shankland putting pen to paper on a new deal and the head coach admitted that the loss of the 26-year-old was a blow.
McInnes said was really looking forward to working with the Livingston-based player but it was, he said, a good deal for the player and the club.
Penrice was a target when McInnes was in his previous post at Rugby Park and he commented: “He (Penrice) has done brilliantly for Hearts and he’s deserving of the opportunity.”
Experienced Stephen Kingsley and Harry Milne, signed earlier this year from Partick Thistle, can slot in.
Another blow for the new boss is the loss of defender Jamie McCart through an ankle injury picked up in pre-season.
Initially the club thought he would be out for three of four months but medical opinion indicates that surgery is not required and the player could be sidelines for six to eight weeks.
Craig Gordon, the club’s veteran goalkeeper, is still out with a shoulder injury and recovery is slow. The stopper has a Testimonial with Sunderland on July 26 at Tynecastle but McInnes said: “He’s probably got a lot to do to be ready.”
Zander Clark looks likely to get the nod over Ryan Fulton when Dunfermline visit in the Premier Sports Cup on Saturday (kick-off 17.15) and McInnes still hopes to add to his squad before the transfer deadline closes and he confirmed he is in daily touch with Graeme Jones, the club’s sporting director.
