Revealed: How Hibs forwards have replaced £7 million man Kieron Bowie goal threat with collective effort
Owen Elding and Ante Suto both hit early scoring stride as January signings make impact
Hibs boss David Gray has hailed his frontline forwards for filling the gap left by Kieron Bowie’s record sale to Hellas Verona during the January transfer window. And he believes the collective strength of his striker corps has given the Easter Road side a different sort of threat heading into the home straight of the Scottish Premiership season.
Hibs head to Pittodrie this afternoon looking to maintain the pressure on Motherwell in the race for fourth place. They travel north on the back of a 3-0 home win over Kilmarnock that saw a trio of January signings hit the net.
Strikers Owen Elding and Ante Suto have seven goals between them. But Bowie – eventually lured away to Serie A in a deal worth up to £7 million for Hibs - is still the club’s top scorer, alongside attacking midfielder Jamie McGrath.
Gray, reflecting on the fact that December’s 2-0 home win over Aberdeen had come courtesy of goals by Thibault Klidje and Junior Hoilett, both now plying their trade elsewhere, doesn’t dispute the idea that Hibs have been more potent of late.
More youth at top end of park
Asked whether he has more firepower available since the January window closed, the gaffer said: “It's interesting, I think, to say that because we've also lost a centre-forward that went for multiple millions of pounds. So I think it's very much … it's a different squad now, I would say.
“Definitely a wee bit younger in that forward area. So you mentioned Junior, not necessarily his age, but the experience he brought us and the calmness.
“We've maybe got a little bit more youthfulness up there and a bit more energy. And just, I think, even added to that, we've got players in competition for places.
“So the amount of bodies that are up there and fighting for the places, bringing in Dane (Scarlett) and Ante at the back end of the window, as well as Owen Elding. Added to that, you've still obviously got Martin Boyle and Ellie Youan, Josh Campbell, Jamie McGrath, forward-thinking players.
“The one that's been a frustration is Rudi Molotnikov, given his injury, because he’s another one that can really give us something different as well. So we have got a younger side now.
“But I think we've got a lot of good balance. And I think the biggest thing for me is trying to get the players playing with confidence because we know we are a real threat when we put it all together.”
Bowie now in Serie A
Explaining that he’d not set out to replace Bowie with one individual striker, Gray said: “I think that's a challenge for anybody who's on the team. Kieron scored a lot of goals – he might even still be our top scorer, actually.
“So it shows you the impact he had. And it's obviously big boots to fill.
“But the most important thing is creating the chances and, if I'm being honest, I'm not worried who scores them as long as we manage to get goals. So I think it's great that young Owen's came in and done so well, scored a few goals, which will do his confidence in the world of good.
“Just settling in period, the one that hasn’t scored yet is Dane, although he’s put himself in really good positions. But the other things he's doing for the team as well.”
Suto and Boyle were both restricted to substitute appearances against Kilmarnock, with the exertions of international duty with Australia – a first experience for Suto – leaving the front pair feeling a little jaded by the time they reported back to Easter Road just 24 hours before kick-off.
Gray said: “It's also been a real positive this week having Boyle and Ante back up to speed. Training fully this week.
“Because I know the trip took it out of them. Certainly Ante, for someone who's not experienced it before.
“It was quite interesting having chats with them two on Monday and Tuesday, the difference between Boyle and Ante. Boyle just looked at you and said: ‘I do this all the time. What's the problem?;
“But Ante's saying: ‘I cannae believe you do this all the time!’ So it's been probably good from that point of view.”