Hearts boss Steven Naismith has praised Lawrence Shankland's mentality amid transfer speculation linking him with a move away from Tynecastle.

The Scotland international returned to training on Monday after missing his side's 2-1 victory over Spartans in the Scottish Cup due to illness.

Shankland has been linked with a move elsewhere during during the January window and talks have been taking place for weeks to extend his contract beyond 2025 with an offer tabled.

But Naismith insists the speculation has not had an impact on the striker. Speaking ahead of his side's match against Dundee, he said: "I speak to the players most days and Lawrence is the same.

"I've tried to just pass on my experience from when I've been a player in these situations. If I'm honest he's dealt with it better than I've seen most deal with it and that's it.

"The rest of it, as an experienced player and a leader, you have the conversations you need to have.

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"Around the ways we're going to win games of football as a team and as a squad rather than anything else.

"You can't control anything. All you can control is what you do on the pitch. That's the biggest lesson I've learned from it.

"What will be will be.  If something's to happen it will happen and if it doesn't, then there's loads of stuff to be fortunate about and drive towards.

"None other than the Euros."