The captain still has four months left of the season to increase his tally and surpass some of the great goal scorers in Hearts’ history. Robertson’s best tally in one season was 31 in season 1987-88, a target within Shankland’s reach given that Hearts have 16 league games left and are still in the Scottish Cup.
By hitting the 20-goal mark, the 27-year-old summer signing from FK Oostende in Belgium has managed to do what other talented players have fallen short of over the last three decades. Liam Boyce struck 16 goals in each of the past two seasons, Kyle Lafferty notched 19 in the 2017-18 campaign and Rudi Skacel hit 18 six years earlier.
Hearts have had a number of seasons when their top goalscorer has not been a striker, with Skacel among a number of midfielders to hold the mantle, the Czech player doing so on three occasions including once when he shared the top spot with Paul Hartley with 17 each.
Others have included Jamie Walker (15), Michael Stewart (eight), Bruno Aguiar (seven), Hartley on his own (15) and Colin Cameron (16). Utility man Callum Paterson (11) topped the charts in the 2013-14 campaign when the administration-hit Jambos were relegated, and centre-back Craig Halkett led the way with seven goals in the Covid-hit 2019-20 campaign.
Here are the last six men to notch 20 goals in a season for Hearts, providing Shankland with more targets to aim for.
. EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - JANUARY 22: Lawrence Shankland celebrates making it 2-0 Hearts during a Scottish Cup Fourth Round match between Hibernian and Heart of Midlothian at Easter Road, on January 22, 2023, in Perth, Scotland. (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)
Lawrence Shankland celebrates his 20th goal of the season for Hearts in Sunday's Scottish Cup victory over Hibs at Easter Road. Picture: Craig Williamson / SNS Photo: Craig Williamson - SNS Group
1. Lawrwence Shankland (20 goals in 2023/24*)
*So far. The captain still has plenty of games left to increase his tally. His 20th goal of the campaign came against in the Scottish Cup on Sunday. He reached the milestone in 32 appearances, with 11 of his goals coming form the penalty spot. Photo: Mark Scates - SNS Group
2. Drew Busby (20 goals in 1977-78)
The attacking midfielder hit the 20-goal milestone in the promotion-winning season of 1977-78. The former Third Lanark player was voted into the Hearts Hall of Fame in 2018 and his death last year sparked a wave of tributes. Photo: SNS Group
3. Derek O'Connor (22 goals in 1982-83)
The former St Johnstone striker was top scorer in a season when Hearts were pipped to the First Division title by the Perth club. Photo: SNS Group
4. Willie Gibson (24 goals in 1976-77)
The Fifer was prolific in 1976-77 season but could not prevent Hearts being relegated. He scored 22 the following season as they came straight back up. Although he bagged more than 100 goals for the club, he admitted himself he "wasn't a crowd favourite" and was stung by criticism from fans. Photo: SNS Group