Hibernian v Aberdeen, 1630KO, Easter Road, Sunday 30th Aug
One of the first encounters of ‘best of the rest’ commences when Aberdeen face Hibernian at Easter Road on Sunday afternoon in the Scottish capital.
-Preview: Aberdeen v Hibs, SPFL, matchday 12
-Hibs 0-1 Aberdeen: match report
Don’t view it as derogatory, or exemplifying it as negative, the lack of belief in anyone breaking the strangle hold the Old Firm have on the top two league positions. It’s simply a matter of honesty to say it’s unlikely any of the remaining ten clubs in the SPL 2020/21 season have the resources to do a David and wedge themselves between the Glaswegian goliaths.
There is no doubt though that of the remaining ten, Aberdeen and Hibernian are front runners for third spot. Of course Motherwell – last seasons best of the rest winners – will have something to say about it, however the ‘Steelmen’ have endured a rocky start to their campaign being winless in five.
New Hibees
Jack Ross’s first full season in charge of Hibernian has seen him ring the changes with twelve players moved on, including veteran Steven Whittaker, and three coming in, adding midfield enforcer Alex Gogic and striker Kevin Nisbet.
Ross seems to be focusing on quality over quantity with Gogic and Nisbet playing integral parts in helping Hibs make their best start to a campaign since 1974/75. That season they finished second.
Nisbet in particular has had an explosive start to his Hibs career scoring a hat-trick in the 4-1 demolition of Livingston on the second day of the season.
Ross also has stalwart dangermen to call on in the forms of Christian Doidge and Martin Boyle. Doidge is enjoying his second season with the Hibees after an impressive first campaign saw him find the net fourteen times.
Boyle has played over one hundred times for Hibernian in this his fourth season plying his trade in the Scottish capital, and the Aberdeen born Australian international looks sure to break his SPL scoring record having almost hit half the amount of goals he’s scored in the previous three seasons.
Signs suggest things are on the up for the Edinburgh club having shown the ability to play free flowing football in their opening two games and being able to win ugly in the previous two fixtures, which included a last minute Stevie Mallan penalty to beat the Saints.
Defiant Dons
Aberdeen’s disastrous start to the campaign has been well documented and has finally had a line drawn under it after an SFA disciplinary panel, held yesterday evening, made a decision on the punishment that would be handed out to the infamous eight who put the return of Scottish football in jeopardy by visiting a city centre bar after the 1-0 loss to Rangers.
All the players involved received three game bans, suspended till 28th February, which will only come into force if they bring the game into disrepute again.
It means Derek McInnes has a recovering squad of players to select from. Curtis Main is tentatively returning to the fold in the decimated striking department having made a substitute appearance against Livingston last weekend and playing a half in Aberdeen’s midweek Europa League qualifying tie against NSI Runavik.
Crucially Main got on the scoresheet against Runavik while Ryan Hedges got his first hat-trick for the club and in Marley Watkins Aberdeen have secured the services of a handy utility player to fill in up front.
Aberdeen have already got one over on Hibs this season without even playing, beating them to the signing of Ross McCrorie from Rangers. Hibs and Aberdeen went in direct competition to secure the services of the up-coming Scottish defender which could add a little burst of flavour to what will hopefully be a zesty encounter.
Prediction: 1-1. Hib’s flying start having petered out a bit and the Dons starting to get a run of wins under their belts suggest a close contest between two evenly matched sides.
Harry Jamshid Reporter Sports Pages 