The fact that Shankland has not made it clear he is leaving is cause for optimism for both McInnes and Hearts supporters.
McInnes is evidently and understandably excited at the prospect of working with the 29-year-old, but will Shankland sign on the dotted line to link up with the club’s new team boss?
Hearts will hope the chance to be part of their new project, with tried-and-tested performer McInnes in the dugout and Bloom’s gravitas in the boardroom, is enough to persuade their star man.
However, uncertainty over Shankland’s future has been clouded further still as McInnes heads to Spain without him.
“I really feel Lawrence as part of a strong Hearts team can elevate himself,” McInnes said earlier this week.
“I think he’s capable of scoring 25-30 goals a season in the right team and used in the right way.
“We can offer security. We can offer building a team and being part of a team that’s trying to be successful.”
With Bloom aiming to “disrupt the pattern of domination which has been in place for far too long” in Scottish football, there is an expectation Hearts will attack the transfer market.
Right-back Christian Borchgrevink, winger Alexandros Kyziridis, striker Claudio Braga, centre-half Stuart Findlay and midfielder Oisin McEntee have already signed in the early knockings of the window, while Elton Kabangu joined permanently after last season’s loan spell.
Beyond the ambition of the McInnes-Bloom project, the prospect of playing under the immediate gaze of Scotland head coach Steve Clarke would be another perk of staying in Edinburgh for Shankland.
