Shaughnessy joined Hearts from Leeds on loan to gain regular first-team football.
Conor Shaugnessy has told Edinburgh News that he is looking to win his place back in Leeds United’s side under manager Marcelo Bielsa by impressing on loan at Hearts – but surely he should consider leaving the Whites permanently.
The 22-year-old broke into Leeds side under Thomas Christiansen, making 14 league and cup appearances during the 2017-18 campaign. During the first half of this season, though, he played just once under Bielsa.
Indeed, the Ireland Under-21 international started Leeds’ 2-0 Carabao Cup loss to Preston North End, but was hooked at half-time by Bielsa and has not featured in the matchday squad since.
Even when Bielsa chose to make numerous changes to his Leeds side and hand debuts to Clarke Odour and Kun Temenuzkhov in the FA Cup defeat to QPR, Shaughnessy was nowhere to be seen.
The colossal defender moved on loan to Hearts and has since made three appearances for Craig Levein’s side. He has helped Hearts earn wins over Livingston and Kilmarnock, but was at fault for both goals in a 2-1 loss to Dundee.
Shaugnessy said: “I’ve got two years left on my contract at Leeds, so I’m a Hearts player until the summer and then I’m back down to try and get into the team at Leeds,” but does he have a chance of doing just that?
Liam Cooper and Pontus Jansson remain first choice, while Luke Ayling, Gaetano Berardi and Kalvin Phillips have been used when the first-choice duo are injured or suspended. Even youngster Aapo Halme has been used ahead of him.
The chances of Shaughnessy breaking into the side are almost zero under Bielsa, and even if he impresses at Hearts, it is clear that the Irishman is not considered a part of Leeds’ side going forward.
Instead of aiming to break into the Leeds side under the former Argentina manager, Shaughnessy should be looking to earn a permanent move by impressing at Hearts – or indeed a move elsewhere.
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