Has ‘Diamond’ Lawrence Shankland delivered his biggest moment for Hearts?

“He was going to go and get a job (as a delivery driver), and now he can be Hearts captain, score incredible goals and win a title,” former Hearts striker Ryan Stevenson told BBC Radio Scotland.

Shankland entered a Queen’s Park team that included current Scotland captain Andy Robertson and his current Tynecastle team-mate Blair Spittal, but failed to make an impact when he moved to Aberdeen.

When he was released from the Pittodrie outfit, he left a gap where he considered a career change before moving to Ayr United.

Spells with Dundee United and Belgian side Bearshot followed, but at Tynecastle, he found a home.

“Listen to any young player, let it resonate with you,” Stevenson said.

“He was going to go and get a job (delivering parcels), and he could be captaining Hearts now, scoring incredible goals and winning a title.

“It’s absolutely incredible, and do you know how he got there? Himself.

“Hard work, dedication, belief in himself, and he’s found the right club for him.

“He’s now three games away from lifting the league title, and he deserves it, he deserves it.

“A player’s diamond.”

His brilliant, clinical and powerful strike that put his side ahead against Rangers – and on the brink of history – was another seismic moment for Shankland in their full season of scoring a club-high 14 league goals this season.

His crucial close-range goal for Scotland against Denmark in November would normally be a career-high moment for any forward, but he has three memorable games left in his season, let alone a chance to play at this summer’s World Cup.

“I know Lawrence, I know what kind of guy he is, he has that presence,” Stevenson added.

“He’s also calm when the ball comes to him, he can calm everyone down with a touch.

“He brings others into the game, and his finishing is out of this world.”