Michael Weir: I'm so glad football's back - let's hope Hibs' new boys can deliver

Thank goodness football is finally back – it’s been a long, long few months, writes Michael Weir

Drey Wright is the sort of player Hibs have been crying out for, says Michael Weir

The coronavirus pandemic and the sport shutdown has been a testing few months for everybody, but I'm just glad to get the football back on and to have something to look forward to on Saturdays again.

It's going to be strange for all the teams without the fans in the stadium, but the players are just going to have to adapt and deal with it.

I don't think closed-doors games is something that anyone ever expected to happen, but the main thing is that we finally have some sport back, and a season to look forward to.

I think once the players get out there on the park and they're back playing football again they'll be happy enough, although there is no doubt that it will be difficult for them without the fans roaring them on.

I've never been in that situation myself but I imagine it will be quite difficult for the players to cope with as they'll be used to all the noise from the stands.

In time, maybe two or three games into the season, I can see them settling and getting more used to it, but the supporters can play such a big part in any game of football.

It will be interesting as well to see how the three new signings fare. It was good to see Jack Ross adding to the squad - that's always encouraging to see, especially given he's lost a few players as well.

The three new boys all look good on paper - Drey Wright looks like a very talented player; I only saw him in action for St Johnstone a couple of times but he seems to have a bit about him, and he strikes me as the kind of player Hibs have been crying out for, for quite some time now.

I've always advocated to have wide players at the club, I think you definitely need them in your team.

I know in the modern game many managers like to use attacking full-backs and no wingers which is all well and good but for me, there's nothing like having a good wide player on the pitch who can deliver for the strikers.

I was glad to see Alex Gogic brought on board, as I think Hibs needed a bit of stature in the middle of the park to fill the void left by Marvin Bartley. I thought at times the team looked too similar in midfield last season, with too many players playing the same position, but with Gogic in there, he will certainly balance the team out a little better and move them forward as well as providing a bit of presence in the middle.

Kevin Nisbet has arrived with perhaps a fair bit of expectation on his shoulders.

I watched him a few times when he was at Raith Rovers, and again last season for Dunfermline, and I think he has a big future ahead of him.

It might be difficult for him to play at this level. It's hard to know for sure how players are going to cope with a step up in quality, but he certainly seems to have all the attributes to succeed, and he scored plenty of goals at Raith and Dunfermline.

It's very difficult to get strikers who can guarantee you ten, or fifteen goals a season but hopefully he hits the ground running on Saturday.

Overall I think Jack Ross has done well to bring the three in to the club given the financial impact of the virus.

It will be interesting to see how they cope playing for Hibs, because it will be a different pressure for a few of them, but I'm looking forward to seeing them in action - it's always good to have fresh faces in the squad, and to see what they bring to the team.

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