Shankland 'couldn't have dreamed' of player of the year award

Lawrence Shankland says he "couldn't have dreamed" of winning PFA Scotland player of the year earlier in his career.

The Scottish Premiership top scorer picked up the prize on Sunday night, becoming the first Hearts striker to receive the award.

"I'm delighted," he told PFA Scotland.

"It's a trophy that not many players outside the Old Firm win. You just have to look at that roll of honours to see you're joining some real football legends.

"It's a really proud moment. Obviously to get nominated first and foremost was good recognition. It shows that you've made an impression on other teams in the league."

Shankland was named Scottish League 1 player of the year in 2018 when at Ayr United, and admitted he didn't see his incredible rise coming.

"It was five or six years ago, at the time I was delighted to pick that up," he said.

"I probably couldn't have dreamed of getting Premiership player of the year.

"My first season at Hearts was really good at I wanted to try and better that. These awards add to that. My target for goals, I've beat it."