SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP
KRIS BOYD IS GOING TO BE CRUCIAL FOR KILLIE
It’s been a summer of upheaval at Rugby Park. One energised performance against a tired Falkirk separated Kilmarnock and the Championship, and Lee Clark is keen on avoiding being put in the same situation again. 15 of those involved in the previous campaign have departed; 14 fresh faces have arrived. It’s a giant risk. As Killie fans are discovering, not all of those signings are going to succeed, and Clark still has to find his preferred line-up and formation. It was also a risk introducing so much youth – the eldest of the 14 signings is just 22-years-old. There’s a complete lack of experience in the squad. It’s up to Jamie MacDonald, Stevie Smith and Gary Dicker to help guide this untested team. It’s also up to Kris Boyd.
It looked like the veteran striker’s best performances might’ve been behind him. It’s been a couple of seasons since Boyd last enjoyed a fruitful campaign; when he notched 22 goals in 36 appearances in 2013-14. He laboured during a torrid spell at Rangers, and then returned to Killie to little success. He’d lost that golden touch. He looked lethargic, off the pace, devoid of confidence, and, though he’d never been the most active attacker, he had that clinical finish. Without that there was little reason in him starting games. But in the tail end of last season he began to make more telling contributions, even grabbing the final goal in Killie’s second-leg evisceration of Falkirk. That small return to form has carried over the summer, and it could be more important than ever.
Against his former club he started ahead of three teenagers, spearheading an attack consisting of himself, Adam Frizzell, Dean Hawkshaw, and Greg Kiltie. A couple of decent chances went amiss before he punished a lax Rangers defence. Kiltie fed him as he ran between Clint Hill and Rob Kiernan. The duo let him find space, and he selected a spot in the bottom right corner to place his shot. A simple fist pump celebrated the goal – his 250th in British football. Later in the game, as the Bears chased three points, he provided a different sort of threat. He found himself increasingly isolated and relied upon to hold up the ball. He did so, until his legs let him down. A deserved standing ovation greeted his substitution in the 93rd minute.
If Kilmarnock are to survive, Kris Boyd will need to produce a lot more performances like that.
BROPHY CAN BE THE GOALSCORER ACCIES NEED
It was one of the memorable scenes of the 15-16 season: Eamonn Brophy speeding past Nir Bitton before placing a cool effort through the legs of Craig Gordon. Parkhead grumbled as he charged off in delirium. One cannot fault the 20-year-old striker for celebrating such a goal – it wasn’t his fault his team were 8-1 down at the time. The strike marked his first goal for the Accies since making his debut in 2013. Since then he’d spent a productive spell on loan at Queen’s Park and a less successful one at Dumbarton. But the question remained: would he be another prodigy who shone at development level but failed to make the grade? This is the perfect time to find out.
Hamilton are in desperate need of goals. A late surge saved them from the threat of relegation for the second season running, and it’s likely they’ll be facing a similar battle at the end of this campaign. Accies notched just 42 goals in 38 games – less than Dundee United. Their top scorer, Carlton Morris, celebrated on just eight occasions, and his loan spell came to an end in the summer. It means Martin Canning has turned to Alexandre D’Acol to lead the line, even though the Brazilian failed to open his account despite making 16 appearances in the red and white stripes. Although he offers a physical presence up front and can hold up the ball for the likes of Ali Crawford and Dougie Imrie, D’Acol lacks the technical skills of a predatory striker. He’s not going to grab ten – or maybe even five – goals. Brophy might.
The young striker looked sharp when he came on against Ross County. Three times he got on the end of chances and threatened to give Hamilton a comfortable lead. Unfortunately, all three times he rushed his shots. There is the potential to be a good striker, though. Brophy looks quick and dangerous running into space, which is good for a team that won’t enjoy a majority of possession and might need to hit on the counter. If he can just keep cool under pressure, he could be a big success for Hamilton.
SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIP
HIBS CAN CHANGE IT UP
A common criticism of Alan Stubbs during his tenure at Easter Road was his stubborn resistance to alter his tactics despite teams learning to counteract them. Hibs became predictable. The diamond midfield, the pass orientated build up, the lack of crosses – there were no surprises on match day, and no second options. Stubbs didn’t have a back-up plan. That’s an issue Neil Lennon has sought to address.
Hibs are ruthless at the moment. That’s something that’s not been said about a Hibs team for years. But Lennon has instilled a refreshed sense of confidence in his side, and you can see the effects already. Jason Cummings, for example, looks back to his arrogant best – he’s a striker who’s fuelled on overconfidence. Lennon has also made Hibs a better-rounded team. There’s more than one way of playing; more than one route to penetrate an opposition box. Saturday’s performance exemplified this change.
All four goals came from headers. Fraser Fyvie delivered a tempting cross to the far post that evaded a host of opposition defenders to find Andrew Shinnie. The club’s summer acquisition made the slightest of touches to push it across the line. John McGinn assisted the second. His floated cross seemed destined for the hands of Derek Gaston but Grant Holt battled him for the ball and came out the stronger. Shinnie turned provider for the third. His sudden cross seemed to rebound off the head of Cummings. The potent striker then wrapped up proceedings with a stunning cross of his own. A 30-yard curling left-footed effort found the head of Brian Graham, who got above the defender to snatch a fourth. Note that all four crosses came from either strikers or central midfielders, and not the full-backs. Another positive change Lennon has made.
SCOTTISH LEAGUE TWO
FORFAR GOING FOR GOALS
15 months ago Forfar Athletic stood on the brink of the Championship. One horrible second-leg and a miserable campaign later and the Loons are in the fourth tier of Scottish football. However, that run of form has come to an end at the beginning of this season. Forfar are top of League 2, four points ahead of second place Arbroath – Dick Campbell’s Arbroath to be specific, and are on course to fight for automatic promotion. And they’re doing it in exciting fashion.
Those fortunate to have seen Forfar’s four league games so far will have witnessed a 3-2 victory against debutants Edinburgh City, a comeback in a 4-3 thriller with Cowdenbeath, a 2-1 win over Berwick Rangers, and a 3-2 defeat of Elgin City. Needless to say, goals haven’t been an issue. 19-year-old Josh Peters looks a revelation at this level. His three goals, spread out over three games, have proven to be crucial. His double against Aberdeen U20 also helped the Angus club into the next round of the Challenge Cup. Against Elgin, however, it was Thomas O’Brien’s double that sunk the club from Borough Briggs. It will come as no surprise, though, that Bollan sees fit to improve their defensive record. Forfar can’t count on late surges forever, and with Clyde and Arbroath among those chasing, it’s going to be a tight title fight this season. At least, at this rate, it’ll be an entertaining one.
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