Two Hibs players have made headlines for very different reasons this week - one who looks to have become indispensable and another who’s in danger of being cast adrift.
I’m talking about Rocky Bushiri and Harry McKirdy and the latter could really do with learning from the former. Let’s start with the positive and Lee Johnson ’s £10m Bushiri valuation may have been made tongue-in cheek but the big defender has become invaluable to the side. What a difference a few months make as it wasn’t only Johnson who would have happily allowed him to leave in the summer.
A year ago he was Rocky by name and rocky by nature. But now the Belgian is proving to be just rock solid. He was under pressure after costing goals and a ridiculous sending off at Dundee for lashing out at Paul McGowan. But he’s improved spectacularly under Johnson, he seems to be enjoying the different style of football and he’s grown up as a player.
The thing with Rocky is his inconsistency but he’s still only 22. He has all the attributes to be a top level centre half, powerful, quick, good on one-to-one duels and he’s decent on the ball as well.
Ten million might be a jump but if he continues this level or progress then he could bring in a substantial amount of money further down the line. And that’s not bad for an ‘accidental’ signing!
Much was said about Hibs announcing Rocky’s departure after his loan spell ended in the summer only to realise he’d actually activated a signing clause and a three-year contract. It’s not all down to luck though as Johnson has clearly cultivated the player into his way of playing and the fans have been won round in the space of a few months.
An improvement to the tune of £10million? Not a chance! That was Johnson having a bit of fun. But the point he was trying to make was how invaluable he’s become to the team.
He’s properly turned things round at Hibs and, across the dressing room, McKirdy would do well to take a leaf out his book. The London-born striker is in soapy bubble with Hibs supporters just two months after arriving to much fanfare for a significant fee from Swindon.
McKirdy’s ‘not wrong’ comment on a Swindon fan’s Instagram message urging him to return to the Robins has predictably been pounced on by Hibees. It might only have been a two-word comment on social media but sometimes there’s no coming back from these mistakes - especially when you’re not performing.
McKirdy is dicing with danger. He arrived with a big reputation from England but he’s done absolutely nothing so far.
Hibs fans have jumped all over this social media storm and he’s not got anywhere near enough credit in the bank to get away with stuff like that. He was left out the squad on Saturday and I believe Johnson said he had a knock.
But Hibs pushed the boat out to get him in on the last few minutes of the deadline. He’s come up on a big transfer fee but the club aren’t getting much from him.
To be frank, he’s one I’d be watching out for in the January sales if he’s still not playing. The form of Mykola Kukharevych is only highlighting McKirdy’s slow start.
The big Ukrainian was outstanding again in Saturday’s 3-0 win over St Mirren. His goal and his strength to shrug off Alex Gogic in the build-up, then the wonderful finish. He led the line brilliantly and he’s quick.
I had a go last week at Hibs having too many loan players but if they’re all like him they can’t get enough! What a prospect at just 19.
Both Kukharevych and McKirdy signed on the last day of the window in the summer. McKirdy was supposed to be the big deal. But it’s the Troyes loanee who is doing the business and has made that striker’s position his own.
Hopefully it continues this Friday in another massive match up at Pittodrie. Hibs, Aberdeen and Hearts will all be battling for third spot and direct results between those three sides will be key.
Hibs’ form at Pittodrie has been pretty poor in the last 10 years but it’s set up for a cracking tussle. If they can get three points from that one then it sends a huge message that they’re serious about going for third.
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