I’m loving life in Jack’s Kyle high club.. I’ve beaten my goal record already
KYLE MAGENNIS has already topped his highest goal total for a campaign but he’s convinced Hibs boss Jack Ross will help fire him to new heights. The Easter Road attacker, 22, is revelling in his new advanced role and Sunday’s opener in the 2-0 Premier Sports Cup win against Kilmarnock made it four in five. Magennis is finally up and running in Leith after an injury-hit debut season and he believes even better is to come. He said: “It’s the highest amount of goals I have scored in a season already, just a few games in. I just need to try and keep it going. “The highest amount of goals I have had is three! “I’m enjoying the role a bit further forward. I’m getting a lot more of the ball. I’m getting more chances to score and link up the play. I’m enjoying playing in there. “Scoring more goals is something I always wanted to add to my game.” Magennis will have the backing of his gaffer to kick on. Ross has described the forward as ‘one of his boys’ having handed him his debut when the pair were in Paisley. The Scotland under 21 ace said: “That’s the first full pre-season I have had in two years. I’ve had a lot of injuries but I’m feeling good now and you can see the benefits of getting a full pre-season in. “I’ve worked with the gaffer before and he just kept saying to me he knew how good a player I was and I just need to be patient with myself and he will be patient with me as well. “He knew what I was capable of. He trusted me. It is massive to have that from a manager.”
Magennis was also praised by rival boss Tommy Wright at the weekend, when he resisted the urge to lash the ball in to the net when Killie defender Chris Stoke hit the deck injured.
Ross was less chuffed ref Bobby Madden blew his whistle but all was well in the end for Hibs.
Magennis said: “I’d just heard the ref blow the whistle straightaway. It’s gutting for him. I know how bad it is to be injured. I wish him well in his recovery.”
It was a big win for Hibs on the back of the European disappointment against Croatia with Kilmarnock going great guns on their way back from the Championship and had chances to cause an upset at Easter Road.
But Hibs dug it out with Magennis and Kevin Nisbet doing the business.
Magennis said: “Killie played well in the first half. They were defending well, they were breaking on us well. The first goal killed the game a bit. We settled down. After that I thought we were the better team.
“It was definitely needed after Rijeka.”
Magennis is ready to fill the goal void left by Christian Doidge’s injury and he’s delighted Scotland star Nisbet has hit the ground running this term and teed him up for the opener.
Magennis said: “Christian is a massive player for us, it is gutting.
“It is a striker’s instinct to shoot so I was quite surprised but it was a close game and I am glad Kevin cut it back. He got his goal as well.”