LASTSEASON
PREMIERSHIP 3rd SCOTTISH CUP Fifth Round LEAGUE
CUP Second Round TOP SCORER Eamonn Brophy (12)90 Season Preview 2019-20 FourFourTwo
HIBERnIAn KILMARnOCK
SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP
2019-20
FFTVERDICT
4TH FFT VERDICT
6TH
Paul Heckingbottom revitalised
Hibs last season despite having
scarce opportunity to put his own
stamp on the team. After some
eye-catching signings – £350,000
for Christian Doidge is a fortune in
Scotland – and a full pre-season,
expect further progress this term.Angelo Alessio’s appointment is
an innovative one by Kilmarnock,
though Antonio Conte’s long-time
lieutenant faces an onerous task
to replicate Steve Clarke’s heroics.
Then there’s the language barrier,
an unfamiliarity with the Scottish
game, and potential departures.The big talking point among the fans
is midfielder Scott Allan’s return. He
had a nightmare spell at Celtic.
This season will be different because
Paul Heckingbottom went 10 games
unbeaten in February. Martin Boyle’s
return from injury should help a lack
of creativity against the better teams.
I won’t be happy unless Hibs finish
above Hearts. It’s that simple, really.
Our most underrated player is Lewis
Stevenson [below]. He deserves more
credit from the rest of the division.
Look out for exciting winger Fraser
Murray, whose cheeky chipped assist
against Aberdeen was very promising.
The best away ground is St Mirren’s
- great pre-match facilities for the kids.
The player I’d happily drive to
another club is Steven Whittaker –
thanks for everything but too old now.
The pantomime villain will be
Hearts manager Craig Levein.
Our best celebrity fans are Andy
Murray and The Proclaimers. Harsh,
because he’s a lovely guy, but I can’t
forgive Dougray Scott for being the
baddie in Mission Impossible 2. Sorry.
The one change I’d make to the club
would be to have Franck Sauzee back
at the club in whatever role he liked.
Save the date for the Scottish Cup
final. We’ve just got a good feeling...
The best thing about the matchday
experience at Hibs is a sing-along to
Sunshine on Leith. Nothing beats it.
The other recommendation for away
fans is Arthur’s Seat – great view of
the Leith San Siro atop the volcano.
Did you know that in 1955 we were
the first British side to compete in
the first edition of the European Cup.
Our key player will be defender Ryan
Porteous [above]. The Scotland U21
international broke through last term,
but has been out injured since January
after knee surgery. Still only 20, but
he is already club captain material.
The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is
that Paul Heckingbottom has made
a great start. His ability to change
a game from the dugout with tactical
or personnel changes is encouraging.
Now he needs to form his own team.
We’ll finish 3rd.The big talking point among the fans
was replacing Scotland-bound Steve
Clarke in the dugout, until we hired
Angelo Alessio, Antonio Conte’s No.2
with Juventus, Chelsea and Italy.
This season will be different because
we’ve qualified for Europe for the first
time in nearly 20 years.
Our most underrated player is Gary
Dicker [below] – a fantastic captain.
Look out for 18-year-old striker Innes
Cameron. He was on loan at Stranraer
last season. He’s a big lad who would
be a good replacement for the recently
retired Kris Boyd.
The best away ground is Tynecastle.
The atmosphere is always electric.
The best away fans are Aberdeen’s
or either of the two Edinburgh sides’.
The opposition player I secretly
admire is Shay Logan, Aberdeen’s
wind-up merchant. Solid full-back.
The best thing about the matchday
experience at Killie is what the club
have done to get more kids involved.Every week there seem to be more and
more activities for young ones behind
the Moffat Stand. Great to see.
Our best celebrity fan is Outlander
star Steven Cree. All over Killie Twitter.
The best club social media account
is our winger @DomThomas23. The
guy is absolutely hilarious. Follow!
Did you know that we are the oldest
professional team in the country. Sorry,
Queen’s Park.
Our key player will be Alan Power
[above, left] – the 31-year-old former
Lincoln midfielder just oozes class.
The best news of pre-season was him
signing a new three-year contract.
The pantomime villain will be Scott
Brown, because he always is.
The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is
that he has fantastic pedigree, having
worked with some of the best players
in the world. I have high hopes. Clarke
was a once-in-a-generation coach, so
hopefully Alessio builds on his base.
If he left, he should be replaced by
no one. I mean, we’ve already had an
exciting manager search. I don’t think
my heart could take another one.
We’ll finish in the top six, hopefully
pushing for a European place again.FAn FILE
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ALEXANDER CASSIDY
@cass316LAST SEASON PREMIERSHIP 5th SCOTTISH CUP
Quarter-Finals LEAGUE CUP Quarter-Finals EUROPA LEAGUE
3QR TOP SCORERS Florian Kamberi, Stevie Mallan (13)