Football Season Guide

Hibs were one of the stories of last season as they started the campaign in quite miserable form before charging in the second half of the season to secure third place and European football. Manager David Grey narrowly avoided the sack last term but the Easter Road side come into this campaign brimming with confidence, particularly after a positive 1-1 draw with Midtjylland in the Europa League. There is no little ambition for Hibs this season either. The first-team has received significant funds to strengthen and they set a new transfer record by signing striker Thibault Klidje from Luzern. Indeed, the attack as a whole looks to be significantly bolstered thanks to the free arrivals of Jamie McGrath and Josh Mulligan. Both are proven quality in the Premiership and should add significantly to a forward line that already boasts the dangerous Martin Boyle, the promising Kieron Bowie and the mercurial Elie Youan. Hibs looked well-oiled last season in midfield when they got going, with Grey settling on a 3-4-1-2 system that seemed to suit his team best. They have made an attempt to get Nick Triantis back after a highly successful loan from Sunderland but have so far been unsuccessful, so this represents something of a blow. At the back, meanwhile, Hibs went from being something of a laughing stock to a pretty reliable unit. This was personified by Rocky Bushiri, who was the pick of their defenders. Generally a solid customer, he can be prone to making big errors. That was also the feeling with goalkeeper Jordan Smith, whose reputation gradually rose thanks to his steady performances over the course of the season. Raphael Sallinger has arrived this summer and is expected to take over from the Englishman here, though. He is an unknown quantity.