Nohan Kenneh was brought up on Marcelo Bielsa murderball. Now he’s ready to kill it with Hibs after surviving the former Leeds manager’s brutal training sessions last season.
Kenneh brought an eight-year association with the Elland Road club to an end to move to Easter Road last month and got his first taste of action in yesterday’s 2-0 friendly victory over Hartlepool United in the Algarve. The midfielder, who models his game on idol Patrick Vieira, strolled through 45 minutes in the searing Portuguese sunshine.
And the 19-year-old reckons the tough upbringing under Bielsa - which included the notorious non-stop, no fouls murderball - was the perfect preparation for the rigours that lie ahead in the Scottish Premiership. Kenneh said: “Bielsa was massive. His style of play is different to every other manager.
“His attention to detail is good and I felt he improved me massively tactically. Murderball was one of the toughest training sessions ever. It’s a mini-sided game, the coaches are around the pitch and every time the ball goes out the ball goes back in.
“There are no fouls or offsides, everyone is just fouling each other. It’s hard but obviously it helps your fitness because when you’re playing a proper game it feels easier.
“I’d been at Leeds since I was 11 and it was a hard decision to leave. But I felt like I wanted to play first team football, that was my main aim.
“Hibs were offering me that and I felt it was the best move for me. It was my decision to leave.
“I think the time was right for me for my development. It wasn’t good for me to be playing just 23s football. I needed to prove myself to the people. I felt the Scottish League is a top league.”
Kenneh moved to England from Liberia at the age of seven and joined Leeds four years later, making four appearances in the Football League Trophy and being in a number of Premier League squads.
But it was to France that he looked for a role model as he began to carve out a future as a midfield enforcer.
He said: “My idol was Patrick Vieira. I didn’t watch him but I watch his videos. He was a powerhouse in midfield and I still watch his videos.
“I want to play like him, try and bring his game into my game with how he is on the ball and off the ball. He used to get past people with his physique.
“I want to play here as much as possible, that’s the main aim. As a club we want to go far in the cups and try and get a European place.”
Hibs dominated the run-out against Paul Hartley’s Hartlepool - with the ex-Jambo coming in for heavy stick from the 150 Hibees who made the trip to the Algarve.
Kenneh was one of eight new signings who were given debuts with David Marshall, Lewis Miller, Jair Tavares and Aiden McGeady all shining in the sun.
Australian right back Miller in particular stood out with a series of powerful runs down the right flank combined with some crunching tackles in defence.
Ewan Henderson, who turned in an impressive 45 minutes, opened the scoring midway through the opening period when he latched onto a loose ball 20 yards out and fired home off the post.
Tavares then saw a shot drift just wide while an impressive run and shot from loanee Elie Youan brought a good save from Patrick Boyes.
Lee Johnson changed his entire 11 for the second period and Ryan Porteous doubled the lead on 51 minutes when he headed home Joe Newall’s corner.
Porteous saw another effort shave the post before Elias Melkersen had a tap-in disallowed for offside in the closing stages.
Hibs are just 10 days away from starting their season for real against Clyde in the cup and Kenneh has been doing his homework on what to expect.
He said: “When Hibs got interested in me I studied the Scottish league more and the history of the club.
“There are a few Scottish boys at Leeds like the skipper Liam Cooper.
“He told me it would be brilliant, to go there and to just play my game and prove myself.”
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