Lawrence Shankland says it’s great to be back in maroon having signed a three-year deal with the Jambos last week.
The striker met the media ahead of Saturday’s Premier Sports Cup match against Dunfermline and admits new head coach Derek McInnes was an important factor in his decision to remain in Gorgie.
“It's great to be back," the number nine said. “Obviously, it took a bit of time to get things finalised and get it over the line, but a few days in advance, before I got signed, that's where I was going. I'd made my mind up at that point, so I was pretty relaxed about it.
“There were a lot of things to consider. Obviously, the situation I was in at the end of last season. I'd ran my contact down and I'd made that decision during last season.
“With the new manager coming in, I had a couple of conversations with him at the end of the season. He let me know that he was keen to keep me, so that was obviously one thing I had to consider.
“Then, obviously, other options that could have become available. There were a couple that popped up, and maybe on a financial side they were good, but in terms of the family side and the strength the family can give you around football, I think I need that support. I was keen to have an option that would keep that available to me.
“In the end, I made the decision that Hearts was the best option for me. I'm familiar with Hearts. I've been here long enough, and I knew what I was getting into if I came back, but I wanted to make sure that, in my own head, I was 100% committed to that decision. That's why I took a bit of time on it. I just wanted to be sure in everything I was doing.”
The striker is now eyeing up more goals in maroon and has set his sight on reaching the 100 club.
“Coming back, you want to be successful. 100 goals is something that I think is achievable for me and it's something I will look to go and do. But more importantly, as a collective, I think we need to go and look to try and get our hands on a trophy.
“I think when I first signed for Hearts three years ago, that was something that I had ambitions to do. I think as a club and the manager coming in, I think that is something, of course, that we'll go and try and do. It's not easy to do, but if we could go and win a trophy and put your name in amongst the names, it always helps.
“I do believe that coming here this season has been a thing for me and I can believe I can find that form. I think he [McInnes] knows how to get the best of me. I think he knows in terms of what type of player I am.
“He's seen me long enough and can I come up against me long enough. He knows what to expect from me as well as a player. That was part of the decision. Obviously, you speak to him, and he explains how he'd like to use you, and it was something I was interested in.”
You can watch Lawrence’s press conference in full on Hearts TV.
