It's 14 years ago last week since Shankland made his professional debut as a kid at the Spiders and Neil Parry is not in the slightest bit surprised by the striker's rise
06:00, 10 May 2026
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Watching a teenage Andy Robertson motor up and down the Hampden wing every other week convinced Neil Parry the left back was destined for greatness.
But the former Queen’s Park goalkeeper insists there was an even better young talent in the Spiders’ ranks back then.
A scrawny 16-year-old with a shot like a cannon ball named Lawrence Shankland.
Fourteen years on from being fired onto the professional stage at the national stadium, the Hearts skipper is on the cusp of a career defining double as the Jambos edge towards a sensational title triumph before he surely takes his place in the Scotland squad heading to the World Cup.
And Parry reckons both honours would be just reward for a sharpshooter whose natural ability to lead the line and bulge the net have always belonged on the big stage.
More than that he says Shankland has proved he’s the man to lead the frontline in the country’s first game at a World Cup in 28 years against Haiti on June 14.
It was 14 years ago last week that the striker first ran out as a late sub for Queen’s in a lowkey defeat to Elgin City at Hampden.
One year later he was off to Aberdeen after smashing in 14 goals in his first full season.
By then Parry knew all about his finishing ability having been his victim in shooting drills across the way at Lesser Hampden.
It wasn’t just the accuracy of everything Shankland hit. It was the power and control.
Something that again was on show as the 30-year-old put Rangers’ title hopes to bed at Tynecastle last Monday night.
Parry, now goalkeeping coach at Alloa, said: “This could be a really special few weeks for Lawrence and I’m delighted for him.
“What a story if he leads Hearts to the Scottish title.
“But then the World Cup.. I think he should start against Haiti, definitely. For his finishing ability alone. You saw that in the Rangers game last week.
“Not many players on their left foot would be able to control that shot the way he did.
“Let's be honest, Scotland aren't going to get loads of chances when they play over there. They’ll need to be ruthless.
“But imagine Robertson down the left and cutting back for Lawrence just like he used to back when they were teenagers for Queen’s Park!
“We were fortunate that season that we had Lawrence, Andy, Blair Spittal and Aidan Connelly.
“The young players were outstanding and Lawrence - ability wise - was the best of the them all. His ability was frightening.
“Even at that age holding the ball up, dropping into wee pockets and he was a brilliant finisher.
“We played Partick Thistle in his first start. We lost 5-4. Lawrence was only 16 but he scored an absolute worldie on the half volley from about 30 yards.
“You should see that goal again on YouTube.. you wouldn't think he could hit it as hard as he did just looking at his 16-year-old physique.
“Obviously Andy's obviously gone on and had an unbelievable career, what a player. But at that time it was his work ethic that probably really shone, getting up and down the pitch.
“Whereas Lawrence, it was all natural ability.
“Even at training he could make experienced players look daft just by controlling the ball and being able to turn and finish.
“He would smash four or five goals by me in training every night.
“To be able to put the pace and the power in the ball at that age was really impressive. It was like a cannon.”
Queens Park's Andy Robertson Andy and Lawrence Shankland
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The next six days will decide whether Shankland leads Hearts to a first Scottish title in 66 years. And Parry reckons it would be reward for his resilience after being dumped by Aberdeen nine years ago.
Parry said: “Lawrence is so good at linking play and bringing others into it.
“I was through at Tynecastle recently and he was dictating everything, dropping deep, getting on the ball, linking play and being a real threat around the box.
“He just looked like a proper leader.
“He's done brilliant because he's had knocks like after leaving Aberdeen. He went to Ayr, hit the ground running there and just kicked on.
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“My son Max has just got into football and can’t believe I played with Lawrence and Robbo at Queen’s Park.
“I can’t wait to see them at the World Cup. It will be surreal.”