Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has it out with yet more praise for Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland ahead of this weekend’s crucial trip to Tynecastle.
Before the Hoops’ 2-0 home defeat to the Jambos earlier in the season, the double-treble-winning boss acclaimed the Scottish Premiership’s leading marksman unprompted.
Now ahead of the third meeting of the sides this weekend, he hit out with yet more praise for the striker. Rodgers hailed Shankland, who has scored more than half of Hearts’ league goals this campaign, as a striker who has immense technique and is a great all-rounder.
The gaffer even stated that he was a player he was aware of when he was in Glasgow the first time around: “I really enjoy watching him”, he said (The Celtic Way).
“When I was here the first time he was a player that was on the radar and I had heard people speak about him.
“He’s a boy who looks super concentrated in the game. He’s got really good technique and uses his body well to protect the ball.
“He scores all types of goals; left foot, right foot and good in the air. He’s a very good player and one that we have to manage well.”
The 28-year-old is a player the Parkhead boss admires. Given his goalscoring record, it is difficult for any manager not to.
Shankland will prove a threat to The Bhoys this weekend but with centre-half Cameron Carter-Vickers returning to the team over the past few games, the backline is much more stable. If the threat of Hearts’ main man can be nullified, Celtic will be halfway to victory in Gorgie.
