SHANKS IS WORTH HIS WAIT IN GOALS

Hearts fans had a long summer waiting for skipper to re-sign but he's paid them back

- FRASER WILSON AT TYNECASTLE

NEIL LENNON told his Hearts hecklers to dry their eyes.

But lethal Lawrence Shankland ensured it all ended in tears for the Dunfermline boss as the Jambos kept their cool in the baking sunshine to hand Derek McInnes a glorious start in Gorgie.

Good things are worth waiting for. And Shankland certainly proved that’s the case as he repaid McInnes’ patience over his new deal to get off and running for the campaign.

Lennon was hounded from the stands throughout 90 minutes where his presence in the away dugout threatened to overshadow McInnes' big day.

Never one to shy away the former Hibs boss bit back with a ringing of the eyes gesture to the Main Stand after Josh Cooper's 38th minute leveller silenced the home crowd.

But Shankland, fresh from signing his three-year deal, celebrated in the best way possible with a second-half double from the spot to add to his early assist for James Wilson's goal before Stephen Kingsley hit a fourth.

By the end it was the skipper’s song that rang around the ground as Lennon’s ears got a rest.