September 2020
Lineup: McGregor,
*Tavernier, Goldson, Helander (Balogun), Barisic, Jack (Arfield), Zungu, Aribo (Davis), Roofe (Hagi), Kent, Morelos (Itten)
After the international break, the games are going to start coming hot and heavy, so these pandemic sub rules are nice for trying to keep the boys fresh and match fit. A complete performance on our part, as Dundee United failed to register a single shot.
UEFA Europa League - League Path Second Qualifying Round
Lineup: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Helander, Barisic (Balogun), Jack, Davis, Kamara (Aribo),
*Hagi, Kent (Arfield), Morelos (Defoe)
We pretty much had the game under control, but an untimely and rare error by Barisic gave AGF a glimmer of hope. The final 25 minutes were quite the nervy affair, but we get the win, and thanks to the pandemic, no second leg.
Lineup: McGregor, Tavernier (Balogun), Goldson, Helander (Simpson), Barisic, Zungu, Davis (
*Aribo), Kamara (Jack), Roofe, Kent (Hagi), Morelos
Got to give Hibs a lot of credit. They were really stifling our attack through the first hour of the match. Credit to Aribo and Hagi for coming off the bench and giving us the spark we needed with Aribo assisting on both of Hagi's goals.
UEFA Europa League - League Path Third Qualifying Round
Lineup: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Helander (Balogun), Barisic, Kamara, Davis, Aribo (Jack), Hagi (Roofe), Kent (Arfield), Morelos (Itten)
Now I wish there was a second leg. This was a game we should've comfortably won. Credit to Steeven Willems for launching a 24-yard screamer that got past McGregor. But we had plenty of time to turn the match around. We had plenty of chances. Credit to Nicolas Penneteau for making eight saves. The Ibrox faithful aren't happy. Neither is the board.
Lineup: McGregor, Tavernier (Balogun), Goldson, Helander,
*Barisic, Jack, Davis (Zungu), Aribo (Kamara), Hagi (Arfield), Kent (Roofe), Morelos
Call it a continental hangover effect. We had a clear-cut chance to win this 1-0, but Morelos chucked the easy finish wide. We're getting in the right positions. Our defensive shape is outstanding. Now we have to execute.
Summary
It's not a good feeling to be out of Europa. You simply have to throw your hands up and say "That's football". I feel like we would've turned it around in a second leg, but we won't get the opportunity. We're still top of the table in the league, so while we dropped points to Motherwell, our position remains strong. It does mean though that in the first Old Firm next month, we have to get max points against Celtic.
We were able to sign midfielder Glen Kamara to a four-year extension worth $3.9 million. This does put us over our payroll budget, but that should fix itself in the January period.
We did get an update from the government and the FA concerning Brexit and how it will affect us moving forward.
- Foreign player limit of 17
- Limit of 6 foreign U21 players allowed to be signed in the summer transfer period
- Limit of 3 foreign U21 players allowed to be signed in the January transfer period
- Current EU players will be given special status until 1/1/24, at which point, they will have to apply for a work permit if they have not attained citizenship by then.
The Player of the month for September will have to go to left-back Borna Borisic. The Croatian international struggled a bit in Europa (but then so did everyone else), but his league form was top shelf. He's quickly turned into a regular starter for us and his six assists from the left-back position show he is helping us get width on the attack.