Has 'diamond' Shankland delivered his biggest moment for Hearts?

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."

'McInnes got his biggest team talk spot on'

It was Shankland's goal that won it for Hearts on Monday, but it was a half-time tweak that sparked their revival after a lacklustre first half.

They trailed 1-0 to Dujon Sterling's deflected striker, but head coach Derek McInnes hooked Islam Chesnokov and brought on Blair Spittal - last weekend's derby hero - to bolster his midfield.

It appeared as though Hearts went from a back four to a back three as well, although McInnes played that down post-match, focusing on the spirit his players showed.

"The way the players dug that out was magnificent," McInnes said.

"It wasn't a change of shape as much, it was the same as the start of the first half.

"It was a change of approach, a change of mindset, we had it all to do.

"We needed a big half-time, and thankfully we organised ourselves enough to get more confidence in the game.

"We asked the players to show more responsibility, we're not top of the league without cause, and that we needed to start showing we were the team at the top of the league because we were miles off it first half."

Whereas Rangers' mentality was questioned after another slip-up, Hearts' ability to win and their second-half turnaround was the focus of significant praise.

Spittal was instrumental in Stephen Kingsley's equaliser, fizzing a pass out to Alexandros Kyziridis before continuing his run to drag defenders away from the Greek winger.

He cut inside and shot against the post, before Kingsley slotted home the rebound.

Then, 17 minutes later, came Shankland's goal.

"Derek McInnes at half-time, he had the biggest team talk of his managerial career, and he got it right," Stevenson said.

"Blair Spittal was unbelievable when he came on.

"What a result, what a performance.

"I think today's result will win them the league, I honestly believe that."

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