Kyle happy stop-start to life at Hibs now over
From the outside, Kyle Magennis would seem to have suffered a luckless start to life at Easter Road.
Arriving from St Mirren last October after nine months on the sidelines because of a knee injury, the phrase “stop- start” the midfielder uses to describe his first season in the capital is perfect.
However, the Scotland Under-21 cap believes he can only blame himself for not being able to take the opportunities afforded to him by Jack Ross in the firstteam last term.
Following an instant debut, Magennis failed to make the expected impact as hamstring problems repeatedly hampered his attempts to make an impression.
But, with his former St Mirren manager eager to see his protégé justify the sixfigure transfer fee Hibs paid, there was disappointment even when he did make his seven starts in 23 appearances.
Rather than feeling sorry for himself, however, Magennis redoubled his efforts over the close-season, sailed through a badly-needed pre-season and is thrilled with the form that has made him an ever- present as Hibs aim to maintain their unbeaten start in the league at home to St Johnstone this afternoon.
“Obviously, I was injured when I first came so it was a bit stop- start last season,” said Magennis.
“It wasn’t the best. When I was getting my chances, I wasn’t really taking them.
“I started a few games and did alright. Then, I would get injured and then come back from injury and start another few games and do alright.
“You need a good run of games. I had joined a new team and I didn’t know how they played and stuff like that. So, it was difficult.
“But it was my own fault, I wasn’t taking the chances I was getting when they came and I wasn’t playing well enough.
“But I’ve benefited from getting a full pre- season under my belt and I’m starting to show what I ’m all about. Hopefully that can continue.
“I would have been as disappointed as the fans were. I just wasn’t playing well enough and I wasn’t fit enough last season.
“It was a bit disappointing. But I’ve really got my head down and I’m focused.”
After just one goal previously for Hibs, and only eight in four seasons at St Mirren, Magennis netted the capital
club’s first of the new Premiership campaign in their 3- 2 victory over Motherwell on the opening weekend of the league season.
Another three strikes in his next four matches was an unexpected bonus but something he is keen to add to.
“It was a brilliant start – but a bit unexpected, to be honest, because I’m not really known for scoring goals,” added Magennis.
“It was a bit of a surprise but I took confidence from it and hopefully I can keep going with that.
“I go into every game confident and looking to score goals now. Hopefully