Lawrence Shankland insists Hearts are ready to go on the straight and narrow after a win at Motherwell which must become something more than just another statement of intent.

After all of the Topsy-Turvy trials and tribulations at Tynecastle in recent weeks, the Jambos skipper also believes it was a display that is the template for the rest of the season by being the sum of all parts.Growing discontent amongst the support over the direction the team had been travelling under boss Steven Naismith was temporarily forgotten at Fir Park during an impressive afternoon's work which would have left the neutral wondering what the fuss was all about.

As Shankland's brilliant double helped the Jekyll and Hyde Jambos claim just a second win from their last six outings, the hitman delivered an honest and forthright about the impact of a victory which relieved the pressure valve from inside the Gorgie bubble and the need for it to be a momentum builder for the months ahead.

"It's been indifferent so it can sometimes cause frustrations among people and I understand that. But the main thing was coming here and getting the win ahead of the international break. It's' a big result, we knew it was going to be tough but I thought we performed really well. A solid away performance and overall I think we deserved to win."

This was a Hearts performance which combined graft with craft as well as being built on a solid defensive foundation which for once was devoid of any backline implosions which have been a feature of some of the team's failures during this frustrating campaign. Shankland admitted a crystal ball isn't part of his armoury but the signs are positive of improvements being implemented in every area of the pitch.

He said: "I can't see ahead now but it was a solid performance. Of course questions have been asked in the defensive area of the game recently. And I know we can do it. We see it in training. It's frustrating when you lose goals so quickly and it causes you problems in games.

"Motherwell's goal was a penalty and that was for handball but I thought we did it really well We came under a bit of pressure in the second half. Motherwell put full bodies forward.

"Then we give away the penalty that puts us under a bit of pressure but I think we stood up to it. In recent weeks we've conceded goals quite quickly but we made that point that it wouldn't happen again. To be fair, the boys at the back, the back three stood up to it really well and the team defended really well when it was asked."

Shankland's opener in the 27th minute was all about quick reactions and striking instinct as he flicked home from close-range after Frankie Kent had headed the ball into his path from a corner and VAR controversy could closely follow.

Liam Boyce went down inside the box following a high boot from Dan Casey and despite it appearing clear contact had been made, referee David Munro resumed play with a drop ball after being advised by VAR to have a second look at the monitor and it was a decision which left many scratching their heads.

Shankland opted to take a diplomatic stance on the ruling from a whistler who performed a rare move in refusing to be swayed even after being invited over to watch a replay of what looked like a cut and dry offence. He said: "To be fair, the ref with the first one didn't think it was a penalty to start with - he said that. Then he went over.

"I haven't seen it back. I thought the foot was pretty high and he gave two fouls in the game that were pretty similar heights of foot. But he stuck with his decision, so fair play to him.

"Nine times out of ten they kind of get swayed but fair play to him if that's what he thought, it was his decision and he stuck by it. I haven't seen it so I can't disagree with him but if that's what he thought then fair play to sticking to his guns."

The points would be all but secure after a 71st minute break by the outstanding fine Beni Baningime through ball which was intelligently dummied by Alex Lowry to allow Shankland to slip home his second of the day. Alex Cochrane blocked Oli Shaw's goalbound shot with a hand as Blair Spittal reduced the deficit with a late penalty but Hearts wouldn't be denied.

Shankland's exclusion from Scotland boss Steve Clarke's squad for this week's clash in Georgia isn't weighing heavy on his mind after bagging five from his last five games. He said: "My form has turned a bit since the start of the season.

"The goals weren't as free-flowing. My general play wasn't as good as it could have been. During the last international break, I got a wee break and came back and played really well.

"Overall performances have been good, I've been happy with them and the goals have flowed today. I concentrate on what I'm doing here. I just keep doing what I'm doing. But as I say, recently my form's been better, it's picked up, I'm scoring goals again so that's all I can do. Do what I'm doing for Hearts and I say it all the time, but national teams take care of themselves when they come around."