Hearts sporting director Graeme Jones has defended the decision to include a break clause in Lawrence Shankland’s contract that allowed the striker to leave for Rangers.
Shankland signed a three-year deal at Tynecastle 12 months ago but departed last week to join his boyhood heroes on a free transfer after four years at the club.
The 30-year-old captained Hearts and scored 20 goals last season as the club came within minutes of winning the title.
His exit came after a total of 88 goals for Hearts, and the news dealt a significant blow to supporters who had backed the Scotland striker throughout his time in Gorgie.
Jones acknowledged the disappointment but argued that including the break clause was the only way to keep Shankland at the club last summer.
“The situation with Lawrence a year ago was simple – we as a club had to make a calculation on whether we wanted to keep Lawrence or not and the only way in which we could keep him was with the deal that was agreed in the end,” Jones said.
“Our calculation was made up of the fact that if we were very successful as a team, and Lawrence was very successful on the park, the risk would be that we would lose him at the end of the first season.”
Jones was direct in standing by the call, adding: “I accept that that may be difficult to hear, but I defy anybody to push back against the fact that it was the correct decision for the club that Derek and I took.”
The sporting director also acknowledged supporter frustration while striking an optimistic tone about the club’s future direction heading into the transfer window.
“I naturally understand the disappointment that our fans will feel about losing their captain and their striker,” he said, adding: “But I’m excited by the evolution of this team going into the summer of the players that we’ll bring in and the things that we can achieve going forward.”
Attention has also turned to midfielder Cammy Devlin, with Jones revealing the club expects a decision on a new contract within the coming week.
The 27-year-old is currently in the United States preparing for the World Cup with Australia and has attracted interest from MLS clubs and teams in England.
However, Jones confirmed Devlin had left the door open to staying at Hearts, with talks between the club and the player’s representatives described as positive.
“Discussions are ongoing with Cammy’s representatives and they’re positive discussions,” Jones said, expressing hope that clarity would arrive soon.
“I would hope that we will have some form of closure in respect of him staying or leaving in the coming week or so,” he added.
Jones was also quick to celebrate Devlin’s international recognition, saying: “It’s fantastic news he’s made the Australia squad, that was so important to him and for us. We’re delighted and proud that he has made that.”
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