Do Hibs star's numbers add up to a World Cup chance? Stats behind Josh Mulligan's unstoppable Easter Road rise
Comparisons with John McGinn shine light on emerging midfield talent
The eyeball test and that little jumping sensation in the depth of your guts, a slightly giddy feeling inspired by the sight of Josh Mulligan lowering his head and charging across the pitch in a style familiar to anyone who ever watched John McGinn light up Easter Road, probably tells you everything you need to know. Less than half a season into his Hibs career, the former Dundee prospect is already a hit with fans and teammates alike.
The 23-year-old was a clear winner of Man of the Match honours in Saturday’s 3-0 home win over Falkirk. If he wasn’t running around, past or over the top of opponents with the ball, he was winning possession back and making good decisions quickly.
He created three clear-cut chances for his team on the day, according to the stats bods, who put him top of the pile for his creativity over the 90 minutes. Topping his team’s ranking in possession recoveries, with seven, also underlined just how dominant he was.
None of which should have come a surprise. Because the summer signing has definitely been trending in the right direction.
Over the course of the season, he’s in the top three per cent of the entire league when it comes to what the stats guys call successful dribbles. When he runs at opponents, they know they’re in trouble – and often resort to desperation tactics to halt his progress, which explains why Mulligan is one of the most fouled players in the Scottish Premiership.
Stat attack for Mulligan’s first season at Hibs
| All competitions | Wyscout stats |
| Passes/accuracy percentage | 767/79.7 per cent |
| Ball recoveries | 193 |
| Defensive duels/percentage won | 182/64.8 per cent |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 4 |
| Fouls suffered | 19 |
| Interceptions | 76 |
The former Scotland Under-21 star has also scored three goals in all competitions this season, as well as chipping in with a handful of assists. But that’s actually not a great return for someone near the very top of the league rankings when it comes to touches in the opposition box; he’s got something to work on, at least.
Midfielder needed to improve after Dundee move
The midfielder knows himself that he was still quite raw when he arrived in the summer, especially when it came to decision making on the ball. He’s worked hard with the coaching staff to develop his scanning and awareness. It helps, of course, that he’s so good at protecting possession just by making himself an immovable object; the similarities with McGinn just keep on coming.
What was obvious from the start was Mulligan’s ball-winning ability. The guy is a menace to any team looking to play through the middle of the park, sitting near the very pinnacle of the Premiership stats when it comes to ball recoveries, tackles and duels won, according to our friends at FotMob.
All of which adds up to what, exactly? Proof that Hibs bagged a bargain, even if we’re still being kept in the dark – for perfectly good reasons - over how much of a development fee they’ve been ordered to pay Dundee, when they the all-rounder as a free agent.
With 16 caps for Scotland Under-21s and one late call-up to the senior squad under his belt, the midfielder is also on the fringes – at least – of Steve Clarke’s thinking. If the famously taciturn national team gaffer isn’t known for getting giddy, Mulligan continuing to put up these sorts of numbers might just persuade the gaffer to have another look at him during those final friendlies before next summer’s World Cup.