Derek McInnes asserted at various times throughout the season that Lawrence Shankland is the best striker in Scottish football. Eleven months after the striker ended a saga over his future by signing a three-year deal to stay at Tynecastle, he has abruptly left to join a direct rival. Since his move to Tynecastle in summer 2022, no player has scored more Premiership goals than Shankland, who hit 72 in 135 matches.