Middleton can make mark at Easter Road, says Whittaker
● Heckingbottom set to bring in Ibrox winger as Hibs get off to winning start
Having witnessed Glenn Middleton’s precocious talent at close quarters during their time at Norwich City, Hibernian defender Steven Whittaker was, naturally, quick to endorse head coach Paul Heckingbottom’s attempts to sign the Rangers winger on loan.
Heckingbottom divulged after his team’s hard-fought 1-0 opening Ladbrokes Premiership victory over St Mirren that the Leith outfit were hoping to secure a temporary deal for the 19-year-old.
Middleton was an interested spectator at Easter Road, the hosts winning courtesy of Scott Allan’s 85th-minute strike, as Heckingbottom seeks a like-for-like replacement for Martin Boyle, who will undergo another knee operation tomorrow.
With all parties apparently keen to facilitate the transfer, Middleton, who had been lined up to move to Dutch side NAC Breda, is likely to complete the switch this week.
In some 27 first-team outings for Rangers – including eight starts, Middleton has offered a glimpse of his exciting potential. Whittaker is certainly in no doubt that the teenager would be a worthy addition to the squad.
“I played with Glenn at Norwich when I was down there and he was a young boy coming through,” said Whittaker, who rejoined Hibs from the Canaries in summer 2017, six months before Middleton signed for Rangers.
“He was highly thought of and he trained with the first team a few times.
“Being Scottish I got to know him a little bit and he will fit in well here with the boys.
“He is a great lad with great talent and he would be a good addition if he comes in.
“He is another guy who can unlock defences. He has played through the middle and out left with Rangers.
“He has power and quality when he gets into the final third. We can give him game time if he isn’t getting it at Rangers, so it will only be good for him if he comes here.”
Unlocking the Buddies’ rearguard had proved problematic for the hosts for most of Saturday’s encounter.
After being restricted to shots from distance in the first half, woeful finishing, the upright and, according to Heckingbottom, an erroneous offside flag frustrated Hibs following the recess.
Allan saw an exquisite curling effort come back off the post before Flo Kamberi’s effort was chalked off.
Either side of Allan’s goal, in which the midfielder drove defend properly and to lose a goal so quickly after equalising was criminal.”
Shankland’s former employers Ayr made a terrific start to their second season of Championship football defeating visitors Morton 4-2.
Michael Moffat combined with Luke Mccowan before sliding a shot past Sam Ramsbottom to open the scoring with Mccowan ignoring Morton’s appeals for offside to tap in from a yard out to double the lead nine minutes into the second half.
Alan Forrest cracked home a delightful third from the edge of the box just after the hour mark however, Morton rallied and Reghan Tumilty took advantage of a slip by Ayr goalkeeper Ross Doohan to pull a goal back. across the area before slamming a shot beyond Vaclav Hladky, striker Christian Doidge was guilty of failing to capitalise on two gilt-edged chances.
Allan has picked up from where he left off on his previous two spells in Leith and Whittaker, pictured, added: “Scott showed his qualities all day and he had a chance to score earlier when his effort came back off the post. We know if we get him on the ball there will be chances created for us.
“He is a great player to have in the team. Sometimes I need
It was game on when Nicky Cadden cracked home a second for the Greenock men but deep into injury time, Craig Mcguffie lobbed Ramsbottom to seal Ayr’s success.
Partick Thistle battled back from a goal down at Alloa to secure a 1-1 draw thanks to winger Joe Cardle. The Wasps took the lead 11 minutes from half-time when Alan Trouten 2 From left, Scott Allan is congratulated by Stevie Mallan and Florian Kamberi after netting his late winner for Hibs against St Mirren
to shout at him right enough to do his work off the ball. But he is working hard for the team. His assets are going forward but he is willing to put the work in as well.
“Most attacking players are more interested in creating rather than defending and I understand that. The manager has us defending as a unit, so it is important everyone does their own roles and Scott understands that.
“He has been brought here to come in and create for us and chip in with a few goals and he has done that. He has got off to a great start i–n the league and long may that continue. He will take confidence from Saturday and we are hoping to have a good season.”
While Hibs dominated possession on Saturday, Saints played their part in an entertaining encounter. Winger Illkay Durmus, one of four debutants, forced Ofir Marciano into two saves in the first half, while Sean Mcloughlin and Jonathan Obika went close after the break.
Mcloughlin also made his first start for Jim Goodwin’s side after joining from Hull City on loan. Theirishdefendermissed the disappointing Betfred Cup campaign, which saw St Mirren fail to progress from the group, but is encouraged by the weekend’s display. “Hibs are one of the top teams in the league and we created chances and should have got something,” said the former Cork City player.
“Going into the next few weeks, it’s something to build on.”
“Glenn is a great lad with great talent who can unlock defences. He has power and quality and would be a good addition”
STEVEN WHITTAKER
helped guide a Steven Hetherington shot past Jamie Sneddon.
The equaliser came with an hour played when Cardle pounced to turn the ball home after Alloa goalkeeper Neil Parry had pushed his initial effort onto the woodwork.
Parry ensured that his side picked up a share of the points when he was able to scramble in a late goal-bound Kenny Miller effort.
Championship new boys Arbroath were presented with the League 1 winning flag before playing out a goalless drawwith Queen of the South at Gayfield. Queen’s created the better chances and Greig Spence thought he’d won the points for the hosts with a late strike only for an offside flag to cut short his celebrations.