Lawrence Shankland, the 29-year-old Scotland striker, has been notably absent from Heart of Midlothian's 28-man squad for their pre-season training camp in Spain. Shankland, who joined Hearts from Belgian club Beerschot in 2022, is currently out of contract but has been in discussions with the club regarding a new deal.

New head coach Derek McInnes expressed his hope to gain more clarity on Shankland's future in the coming days. McInnes mentioned that Hearts are eager to retain the striker, especially since Shankland has not indicated any desire to leave Tynecastle.

In other club news, Hearts recently completed a significant £9.86m deal with Tony Bloom, the owner of Brighton and Hove Albion, for a 29% stake in the Edinburgh club. This deal strengthens the existing relationship between Hearts and Bloom's company, Jamestown Analytics, particularly in recruitment strategies.

Shankland, who has earned 16 caps for Scotland, remains a key figure for Hearts as they prepare for the upcoming Scottish Premiership season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how his contract situation unfolds and what impact it may have on the team's performance.

For more updates on Hearts and the latest in Scottish football, stay tuned to our comprehensive coverage.