With a summer of change expected following manager Liam Rosenior’s departure after missing the play-offs, plenty of new names can be expected through the doors of the MKM Stadium.
It won’t necessarily be a re-build as Hull do have a rather strong squad as it stands, however, some important loanees will be returning to their parent clubs this summer and a couple of their key men may well be poached by sides higher up.
Recruitment will no doubt be a hot topic and if the Tigers want to at least make the play-offs next term, then they’ll need to get it spot on. Firstly though, they need to sort out their managerial situation. It’s looking increasingly likely that German Tim Walter will be the next man in the dugout but the club are yet to announce anything.
Walter’s attacking style of play could require an extra couple of players in the forward areas and they’ve already been loosely linked with a couple of names.
One of those is Hearts striker and club captain Lawrence Shankland, who has been in stellar form for the Jam Tarts this season. The Scottish international now has 30 goals to his name in all competitions this term and has been heavily linked with a move away from his native Scotland this summer.
One of the clubs that Shankland has been linked with is Hull, but he’s not short of interest elsewhere. The club were also supposedly in for a move for the striker in January, but nothing materialised.
It’s looking highly likely that the 28-year-old leaves Hearts this summer and he’ll be expected to go for a decent fee based off of this season’s exploits. Speaking to The Scotsman, Hearts manager Steven Naismith pointed to the striker potentially leaving this summer.
“It’s incredible. He’s had plaudits and people have talked throughout the season but I don’t think people will really understand it for a few years until it has been and gone and someone else is scoring goals.
“Hearts did a lot to get him here and then put their faith in him that he was going to be good. He has been a brilliant pro, a good leader, and his goal record over the two seasons here is unbelievable.
“He deserves everything that comes his way. He has had to graft his whole career to get anything out of it. He has had knockbacks and setbacks when he was younger and he is now getting recognition with the awards and the international scene. But he deserves every bit of it.”
It seems that Hull, as well as any other clubs interested in the striker, have moved slightly closer to signing the striker with Naismith somewhat signifying that he’ll be on the move this summer. That comes as no surprise given his goalscoring tally and he rightly deserves a move to an ambitious Championship side.
Writer’s View
When you look at the dominance of Celtic and Rangers in the Scottish Premiership, you probably wouldn’t expect a Hearts player to be the league’s top goalscorer, let alone six goals ahead of the second best in the league.
That really emphasises Shankland’s talent and he’s rightly gaining the credit that he deserves. He’s very much coming into his prime years now and it could be the ideal time for a move.
Hull could be a very good landing spot given what’s going to change at the club this summer and they do still seem to hold an interest in the Scottish international. Perhaps he’s the man to help them kick on and make the play-offs or go even further next season.
Senior Editor
