The Scottish Premiership season is well underway, and as we approach the first quarter of the league campaign, have the big-money signings made an impact? Has Hearts’ title challenge been stunted, and are some teams surprising us all?
The Goal Drought Duo
The beginning of the season brought with it plenty of expectation, none more so than for the big two, Celtic and Rangers, both of whom landed their desired target men. However, they certainly came with hefty price tags and are yet to make a difference.
Since joining from their respective sides, both Kasper Høgh and Kevin Kelsy have struggled to make an impact on games and are certainly lacking goals.
Celtic landed their striker early in the transfer window, with the highly sought-after Dane making the switch from Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt. However, the 25-year-old came with an eye watering price tag of £11 million, a record transfer fee for Celtic.
The price tag certainly looked to be worth the investment, with the striker netting 54 goals in 103 appearances for his former side and recording 22 assists before the move.
However, since his switch to Glasgow, the striker has appeared a shell of his former self. He has struggled to impact games, has most definitely not created or scored enough goals, and now looks to have lost his place as a starter to in-form Camilo Durán.
Frustration is growing surrounding Høgh, as the fans, much like everyone else, thought he would boss the league with his goal contributions. So far, he has mustered three goals and two assists across 12 games. Three goals in 12 games may not sound problematic; however, when all three goals came in one game at the very start of the season, it is clear to see why concerns about his form are growing.
Høgh is not the only man lacking goals. Look no further than Ibrox to find his comrade in the goal-drought department.
Kevin Kelsy joined Rangers in the final hours of the transfer window, as the Glasgow side had long been rumoured to be chasing him, and rightly so. His 19 goals and five assists across 64 games, along with his general style of play, left a lot to be desired.
The £9 million Venezuelan became Rangers’ second-most-expensive signing, behind Tore André Flo, whom Rangers signed from Chelsea back in 2000 for a club-record fee of £12 million.
The striker, who made the switch from Portland Timbers, has been trusted by Derek McInnes to lead the Rangers line, but he simply has not kicked on. He hasn’t contributed enough in terms of goals, with a mere two to his name, and has only set up one other for his teammates.
Much like with Høgh, there is a sense that questions are being raised about Kelsy’s performances and whether he should be a starter for Rangers. The answer is beginning to become clear, given that the 22-year-old started on the bench against Dundee at the weekend and was afforded only 14 minutes of game time.
There is still plenty of time for both strikers to make the desired impact and turn their seasons around, but that becomes more challenging when they are reduced to the bench every weekend.
Do They Have the Heart for It?
Last season, Hearts were the greatest surprise of all, mounting a title challenge that lasted until the final day. As they began this season, they arrived with the same ambition under a new manager: to be crowned league champions.
For the most part, their ambition looked achievable under the leadership of Wouter Vrancken. They had a new cohort of vastly talented players and were churning out results.
From the off, the Gorgie side appeared impressive. Until very recently, they were the top scorers in the league and had conceded only eight goals. That was until the weekend, when they conceded nearly as many goals in one game as they had across the season.
For the first time at the weekend, Hearts looked fragile and were exposed by their weaknesses. Hearts play with a very wide system and prioritise the use of wingers, therefore sacrificing security in midfield, when opponents play clean through the middle, the space is exploited. The Edinburgh side also hold a very high defensive line, leaving room for opposition players to run in behind. All of these weaknesses were on display as Celtic thrashed them 7–1 on Sunday.
With 16 points on the board and eight points behind Celtic, it is unclear whether Hearts will have the capacity to challenge for the title again this season. From now until the end of the campaign, they cannot afford to drop too many points and are relying on Celtic dropping eight points to allow them to catch up.
Fans always welcome a title challenge and a closely run race. However, this season, it almost looks over for Hearts before it has even properly begun.
Pressley Party
If there is one team that has shocked the nation, it is Dundee. From the bottom six and facing the threat of relegation last season to a total resurgence and occupying fourth place in the league, the tide has certainly turned in Tayside.
Steven Pressley’s side have come flying out of the traps this season, gaining momentum with every game and taking points from Rangers, Motherwell and Aberdeen. With 14 points already under their belts, they have experienced their best league start in over 40 years.
With only a quarter of the league campaign played, the sky looks to be the limit for Dundee. Their aim this season is to secure top-six football, and they are well on their way to achieving that.
Rock Bottom
They say the only way is up, and for Motherwell and Hibernian, that phrase rings true, with both teams languishing in the bottom six and Hibs currently occupying bottom spot.
Gone are the days of the Askou reign, and Motherwell are feeling the blow. Since the manager’s departure in the summer, Motherwell have had Alfred Johansson at the helm. While the Swede is attempting to replicate elements of his predecessor’s style of play, something is not clicking for the Steelmen.
The Lanarkshire side are winless in five games and have shipped 12 goals in as many matches, which is a third of the goals they conceded across the entirety of last season.
It is clear that they are still trying to play attacking-minded football, but the quality in the final third is lacking. If they are to avoid a relegation scrap, their issues must be resolved over the next few games.
Motherwell are not the only candidates for relegation, as Hibs are making a good fist of it themselves. They are bottom of the Premiership with a meagre seven points and have lost four of their last five games.
Despite a change in personnel, with David Gray being replaced by Marink Reedijk, the Hibees are stuck in a cycle of the same old, same old: losing games with no sign of improvement.The season has barely begun, and for most, the story is still unwritten. However, others must make haste if they are to write the next chapter and secure their perfect ending.
