Hearts boss Neil Critchley has backed struggling striker Lawrence Shankland to rediscover his goalscoring form.

The Scotland forward has netted just once in 15 club games this season and Hearts are languishing bottom of the table.

Critchley, whose side are away to St Johnstone on Saturday, said: “I spoke to him again on the training pitch this morning and of course he’s a striker, he wants to score goals.

“He’s frustrated that he’s not hitting the back of the net, but I think his all-round contribution in the last couple of games has been fantastic.

“I think he’s played like a real captain, a real leader. He’s brought so much more to the team in the way that he’s played and led the line for us and he’s been so, so close to hitting the back of the net.

“If he keeps putting himself in certain situations then with his finishing ability off both feet or his head, he will get goals, I’ve got no doubt.

“If you look at his all-round contribution to the team, his physical effort and the data that backs that up, he has put so much effort in the last few games and if he keeps working hard it will it will turn for hm.”

Critchley insists he has no intention of removing the captaincy from Shankland.

“That doesn’t ever come into my thinking,” he said. “Otherwise, you’re judging things on outcome all the time.

“Lawrence is captain. He’s captain for a reason and he’ll remain captain.”