Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
Sport
Ben Banks

Three things we learned as Hearts defeat Stoke City and Shankland scores on Tynecastle welcome

Lawrence Shankland got his Hearts career off to the perfect start with a goal in their 2-1 pre-season friendly win against English Championship side Stoke City.

The striker was instinctively ready to pounce in the box after good work down the left from Robbie Neilson's men teed him up for a simple tap-in. Shankland only signed for Hearts the day before from Belgian outfit Beerschot, a year on from leaving the Jambos' Premiership rivals Dundee United, and finished off scoring with a half-volley.

A strong XI was fielded by Neilson as the capital club get set for league action beginning again next weekend versus Ross County. The day also doubled up as club ambassador Gary Locke's testimonial as fans got a chance to pay tribute to the Tynecastle legend who has both played and managed them.

Shankland scored twice in the pre-season workout (SNS Group)

READ MORE: Lawrence Shankland Hearts transfer hailed as he's tipped to beat Celtic and Rangers stars to golden boot

Tyrese Campbell finished off scoring with a Stoke consolation. Here are three things we learned from the match.

The new number nine

Straight out onto the pitch from signing his contract the day previous, Shankland looked fit and raring to go for his new club.

He was in the right place at a perfect time for his first goal and really should have had a second when Barrie McKay put him through for another go, although good movement was shown in the first place to get there.

Create chances for their new number nine and with added sharpness, should have plenty of opportunities to add to his goal tally.

Neilson's plan

Sign up to Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox

The Jambos boss will lead his side into European group stage football this season and set about physically testing them for it.

They've played friendlies every few days since early July in a bid to get the players adapting to what it will be like when the real stuff kicks in.

Hearts look better for it, with plenty of the players on show looking primed and ready for league action next weekend.

Rowles Royce

In defence, Australian international Kye Rowles looks like a classy signing. He's arrived from down under with a glowing reputation and you can see why.

He looks fairly comfortable with the ball at his feet as displayed on the left-side of a back three during a calm first 45 minutes.

Then he moved into the three-man defence's centre for the second half and again, there were little to no issues caused by Stoke.

READ NEXT:

- Hearts 2012 Scottish Cup hero open to SPFL return as Premiership club 'could clinch' transfer

- Lawrence Shankland on his Hearts youth experience after Jambos return and a picture 'coming around again'

- Robbie Neilson in Hearts 'real progression' statement after Preston friendly as Woodburn haunts Jambos

- Hearts in fixture schedule change as August Premiership clash pushed back 24 hours

- Hearts sign former Celtic youngster as Steven Naismith backs talent to bounce back from Hoops spell

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.