Hibs backed over smart summer transfer business as rival reckons Hibees flying under the radar
Premiership rival boss claims Hibees have ‘recruited smartly’
Dundee boss Steven Pressley reckons Hibs have went ‘under the radar’ so far this season in terms of elements like transfer business.
The Hibees travel to Dens Park on Sunday as they seek to regroup from Thursday night’s European heartbreak against Belgian side Gent. Standing in their way will be Pressley’s in-form Dark Blues side who go into the match off the back of last weekend’s triumphant 2-0 Derby win over Dundee United at Tannadice.
Former Hearts captain Pressley admires the way Hibs have went about their business this summer and believes they’ve ‘recruited smartly’. Manchester United loanee Jacob Devaney became the latest signing for manager David Gray last week and could make his debut on Tayside. Dundee have a new addition of their own ahead of the Hibs clash, having signed central defender Matai Akinmboni on loan from Bournemouth.
Premiership rival lauds Hibs transfer movement
Ahead of the match, Pressley said: "They're a team that have recruited smartly, that are actually building. There's not been a lot of talk about them yet. I think they've gone a little bit under the radar. But they're doing a lot of good things at that club, so it's going to take a big performance from us."
On the domestic front, Hibs followed up their opening day defeat to Motherwell at Easter Road with a victory against Rangers at Ibrox. A win at Dens would help regain some momentum ahead of Thursday night’s home Edinburgh Derby fixture against Hearts. Hibs won twice and drew once with the Dark Blues in their meetings last season.
Despite the visitors’ superior recent head-to-head record, Dundee have won their last six at home. The manager is seeking to add to this hot streak on Sunday afternoon. He continued: "I've openly said our away form hasn't been good enough over the period, but we've been strong at home and we want to protect that. We've made a solid start and we want to build momentum and confidence. To do that, we have to try and get the right result on Sunday."
New face for the Dee’s ahead of Hibs clash
Akinmboni, 19, completed his loan switch from the south coast on Thursday after a trial period in the City of Discovery. Upon finalising the deal, the American said: “It’s great to get this done and to be at Dundee for the season. I’ve been at the club for a couple of weeks now and everyone has been really welcoming, and I just can’t wait to get started properly.
“I was at the derby on Saturday and I saw how good the fans were, and now I want to play in front of them and experience that myself. I want to play as much as I can and help the team keep the momentum going from the start of the season.”
Pressley added: “Matai is a player that has very much impressed us since coming in on trial. He’s young and has a lot of development to do, and we think he’ll provide us with competition in defence. He is also a good personality and character to have around the place. Bournemouth have a lot of faith in him, and it’s encouraging that they trust us with his development.”