The transfer-window has now officially closed meaning teams in Scotland’s top-flight will not be able to take players from other clubs until the New Year.
During the extended summer, Scottish Premiership sides signed over 100 players between them, in no particular order, here’s five of them we think punters should keep an eye on this season.
Kevin Nisbet
If you’ve watched any Scottish football since the restart, it would’ve been impossible to not hear about Hibs’ new front-man Kevin Nisbet
Brought in from Championship side Dunfermline Athletic, the striker leads the scoring charts with six goals from his opening eight games so far, looking to be an absolute steal for the quarter of a million pounds the Hibees forked out for his services.
Nisbet is a constant threat to opposition defences. His average of roughly four shots a match, the highest of any Premiership player, shows he is able to carve out chances for himself; and with no shortage of creative players in this Hibs side Nisbet is more than likely to be one of the league’s top scorers come the end of the season.
At the age of just 23, perhaps a call-up to represent the national side isn’t too far away either.
Ross McCrorie
After four loan-moves and occasional spells in-and-out of the Rangers team, Ross McCrorie has finally found a settled home.
Be it on the right or in the middle of a back three, right back, defensive midfield, or even right wing-back. The Scotland under-21 international has only missed out on nine minutes of action since his move north in August.
The versatility of Ross McCrorie has made him an key member of Derek McInnes’ Aberdeen side, and there is no doubt he’ll play a key role as the Dons look to improve on last term’s fourth placed finish.
Julien Serrano
Perhaps one to go under the radar a bit more, Livingston’s new left-back has had a statistically-impressive start to life in Scotland.
On loan from Ligue 1 side Monaco, Serrano has been dribbled by just 0.2 times per 90 minutes. The fewest of any full back in the entire division. Which combined with his above average all-round defensive stats conveys Gary Holt has perhaps found a decent option on the left of his defence.
Going forward, 0.2 assists per 90 may not sound an awful lot, but it’s higher than any other non-old firm full back.
Has Serrano set the world alight at the Tony Mac so far? No, but statistically the Frenchman has been a handy addition to the Livi backline, so much so Livingston fans voted him as the clubs Player of the Month for September.
Jak Alnwick
After a promising start to the campaign it’s fair to say St Mirren’s form has taken a bit of a dip recently. The Paisley side are only saved from being at the foot of the table by goals scored, but the performances of new goalkeeper Jak Alnwick have definitely deserved much more than that.
Analysis site WhoScored.com rate the stopper as the best in the league, whilst Hamilton’s Gourlay and Livingston’s Stryjek score higher average ratings, the two have only played in a single game each, and therefore shouldn’t quite be held in the same regard.
Alnwick has been somewhat of a journeyman in his career so far, turning out for eight different teams in the space of nine years, but Jim Goodwin will be more than hoping the Englishman has an extended stay at St Mirren Park if his early season form is anything to go by.
Diego Laxalt
Last but not least is Celtic’s deadline-day arrival, Uruguayan left wing-back Diego Laxalt.
Laxalt arrives in the east end on-loan from AC Milan, one of the sides Celtic will of course face in the Europa League, but has heaps of experience at the top level. Playing well over 100 times in the Italian Serie A, as well as turning out in the Copa America and the World Cup for his country.
The 27-year-old will add some much needed competition to the Celtic left-flank, an area supporters have been fairly critical of over the last couple of games. Whilst Greg Taylor is a solid-enough option, Laxalt’s experience and attacking threat will certainly be something to keep an eye on.
Featured Image Credit – Sky Sports
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