“He was going to go and get a job [as a delivery driver], and he could now be the captain of Hearts, scoring unbelievable goals and going on to lift a title,” former Hearts striker Ryan Stevenson said on BBC Radio Scotland.
Shankland broke through in a Queen’s Park team that included the current Scotland captain Andy Robertson and his current Tynecastle team-mate, Blair Spittal, but failed to make an impact when he moved to Aberdeen.
When he was released by the Pittodrie outfit, he had a gap where he considered his change of profession, before a move to Ayr United.
Spells with Dundee United and Belgian side Beerschot followed, but at Tynecastle, he has found a home.
“See for any young player listening, let this resonate with you,” Stevenson said.
“He was going to go and get a job [delivering parcels], and he could now be the captain of Hearts, scoring unbelievable goals and going on to lift a title.
“It is absolutely incredible, and do you know how he’s got there? Himself.
“Hard work, dedication, believing in himself, and he’s just found the right club for him.
“He is now three games away from lifting the league title, and he deserves it, he absolutely deserves it.
“A diamond of a player.”
His cool, clinical, and powerful strike that put his side ahead against Rangers – and on the brink of history – was yet another seismic moment in a season full of them for Shankland, who has a club-high 14 league goals this season.
His crucial close-range goal for Scotland against Denmark in November would normally be a career-high moment for any forward, but his season has three monumental games left, let alone the chance to feature at this summer’s World Cup.
“I know Lawrence, I know what sort of boy he is, he has that presence about him,” Stevenson added.
“He’s calm too when the ball comes into him, he can take a touch and calm everyone down.
“He brings others into the game, and his finishing is out of this world.”