Sporting director Graeme Jones has defended Hearts' decision to allow striker Lawrence Shankland to utilize a break clause in his contract, facilitating his move to Rangers. The announcement stunned supporters, as Shankland had only signed a three-year contract with Hearts last July.

After scoring 20 goals in the previous season, Shankland's departure marks a significant loss for the club, especially as they narrowly missed out on the Scottish Premiership title to Celtic.

Jones explained the rationale behind the decision, stating:

• "The situation with Lawrence a year ago was actually quite simple: we as a club had to make a calculation on whether we wanted to keep Lawrence or not."
• He emphasized that the deal allowed the club to benefit from Shankland's contributions for a full season, despite the risk of losing him afterward.

Acknowledging fans' disappointment, he expressed gratitude for Shankland's leadership and performance. As Hearts looks to the future, Jones remains optimistic about the team's evolution, mentioning ongoing discussions about Cammy Devlin's contract and new signings, including Josh McPake and MJ Kamson-Kamara.

The challenge now lies in replacing Shankland's substantial goal tally and leadership on the pitch. With 88 goals in 171 appearances, his absence leaves a notable gap for head coach Derek McInnes to fill.

As Hearts prepares for the upcoming season, the focus shifts to potential recruits who can step into the void left by their former captain.