The Scottish Premiership season is now (for the most part) three matches in and already there have been some top performances, some from those we expected it of, and some who’ve pleasantly surprised.
In no particular order, here’s four players we feel deserve credit for their start to the campaign!
Chris Burke
It’s hard to believe the Killie winger will be 37 years old by the time this season comes to a close.
The expression ‘aged like a fine wine’ is one that can easily be used to describe the former Scotland international. Having been released by Ross County in 2017 it looked like Burke’s career was tailing off, but after signing an initial one-year deal at Rugby Park he hasn’t looked back.
Chris Burke is an essential part of how Kilmarnock set-up, and is in fact the first Killie player to net in the each of the club’s opening three games in 56 years! Leaving him joint top of the league’s scoring charts.
Glen Kamara
290. That’s the number of passes Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara has played in the opening games of the season. 22 more than any other player in the division.
What makes that stat even more impressive? He’s also recording the best pass accuracy of any player in the process with 95.52% of his attempts finding a team mate.
With records like this it’s no wonder the bears slapped an £8 million price tag on Kamara’s head, his ability to keep his team possession allows the more creative player’s such as Ryan Kent and Inais Hagi to thrive and overall means the team to do a much better job of breaking defences down, something they struggled with hugely at times last season.
Josh Doig
Sometimes promoted academy players can take time to adjust to senior football, but that cannot be said for Hibernian full-back Josh Doig who has fitted in seamlessly to Jack Ross’ side.
The 18-year old looks solid defensively whilst also contributing in attack for the Hibees, supporting Horgan on the left-hand-side but also putting in a decent number of crosses into the box himself. Martin Boyle and Daryl Horgan are far from poor creators, but it’s nice to have another alternative option to provide for the likes of Doidge and Nisbet.
Doig looks a real asset and could be the latest success-story out the academy at Easter Road.
Ross Stewart
Last but not least on our list is the man that could be Scottish football’s answer to Jamie Vardy, Ross County’s Ross Stewart.
Working his way up from the West of Scotland leagues Stewart, along with most of his team, has enjoyed his start to 2020/21. Perhaps unfortunate to only have two goals to his name after hitting the post more than any other player.
Ross Stewart though is a unique opponent to face. A 6′2″ ariel threat who is successful in over 90% of his dribbles whilst averaging nearly six interceptions a game is one who is incredibly difficult to deal with, and should County go on to mount a top-six challenge this season, Ross Stewart could well play a massive part.
Feature image credit: Edinburgh Evening News
