Lawrence Shankland reveals how La Manga activities, from table tennis to surprise singalongs, helped the Hearts squad gel as they prepare for a high-stakes derby
The Hearts squad spent several days training in Spain at La Manga, where head coach Derek McInnes organised a mix of rigorous sessions and unstructured time aimed at strengthening squad relationships. The trip combined morning and early afternoon on-field work with long, leisurely afternoons to recharge: table tennis, cards and poolside relaxation offered players a different environment from the daily rhythms back home.
According to captain Lawrence Shankland, those informal moments proved as important as training in creating a united group ready for the challenge of the Premiership run-in.
Shankland described the Spanish camp as an opportunity for teammates to learn more about one another away from the usual pressures of competitive fixtures.
Many players live apart during the season, and the communal spaces at La Manga removed those barriers. The squad organised light-hearted initiations for newcomers, and foreign players who had not previously spent much time with the group found the atmosphere welcoming.
Small rituals, shared laughter and down-time conversations helped the squad develop mutual understanding and eased cultural differences that can surface over the season.
The social side: how downtime became team building
Beyond drills and fitness work, the trip emphasised social activities as deliberate team bonding. Shankland pointed to communal areas where players gathered for games, music and impromptu performances after dinner. These moments—far from trivial—helped players relax and allowed leaders to see different sides of teammates. The captain noted that such interactions pull quieter squad members out of their shells and create the kind of camaraderie that carries into matchday cohesion. In short, the combination of scheduled training and unstructured fun served as a practical strategy for sharpening unity.
Surprises and stars off the pitch
Notable moments included unexpected musical turns that surprised teammates. Tomas Magnusson impressed with a country-style performance that left the dressing-room amused and supportive, prompting comparisons to a Britain’s Got Talent-type reveal. Other squad members added colour too: Landry Kabore showcased his dancing, while Islam Chesnokov delivered a rap routine. Even players who usually avoid the spotlight joined in, and Shankland joked about keeping certain teammates out of the limelight for now. These light-hearted displays, he said, brought people together and eased pre-match nerves.
Maintaining focus amid title talk
While the leisure time strengthened relationships, the group never lost sight of its main objective: chasing the league. Sitting at the summit with a narrow lead and just a few matches to go, the squad accepted the reality of title pressure without allowing it to become all-consuming. Players discussed the opportunity openly and treated every fixture with the same preparation mindset that had worked for them all season. Shankland emphasised a balanced approach—acknowledging nerves while resisting overanalysis—and highlighted the importance of calmness and consistency as they navigate a complex run of games.
Opportunity, nerves and perspective
For Shankland personally, the coming weeks represent a potential career high: victory with his club followed by a likely selection for Scotland at the World Cup. He recognised that such milestones bring both excitement and anxiety, but insisted that the squad’s collective mentality would help manage those emotions. The focus remains on routine: prepare, perform and maintain the habits that produced positive results. The La Manga trip, he believes, reinforced the interpersonal bonds that make that disciplined approach sustainable under pressure.
Derby day and the road ahead
Now the squad turns its attention to a hostile away fixture at easter road, where derby intensity and a vociferous home crowd await. Shankland thrives on that atmosphere, describing the challenge of performing “behind enemy lines” as the kind of test his team enjoys. With travelling supporters in good numbers, the captain expects a combative encounter but is confident the solidarity developed in Spain will translate into resilience on the pitch. The combination of shared memories, light-hearted bonding and concentrated training has left Hearts believing they can tackle what lies ahead.
In the end, the La Manga stopover was more than a break in routine: it was a deliberate step to knit personalities together and sharpen the squad’s collective character. Small, human moments—singing, joking and supporting one another—have reshaped internal dynamics and given the team fresh momentum as they face crucial matches in the hunt for silverware. If those off-field bonds hold, they could be the difference in a tense title fight.
