Copyright scotsman
Garry O'Connor has named two areas where Hibs could look to strengthen in January - as he gives his backing to a current Easter Road star. The former striker has been watching on over the start to the season for David Gray’s side. After impressive performances in European qualifiers, Premiership form has been inconsistent, with three wins and six draws alongside losses to Hearts and Rangers so far this term. They drew 2-2 with Livingston last time out and currently sit third, albeit teams around them like Rangers have a game in hand. January’s transfer window is slowly rolling into view and the man who featured in Leith across two spells has his views on where Gray could look to bolster his ranks. He reckons that the midfield area is one place where another player could be added, with a feeling that the current squad is light on a couple of stars. Then there is the defensive area of the park, where O’Connor thinks there is a need for depth. He has hailed some of the summer business done by Hibs, however, with Josh Mulligan’s impact since arriving from Dundee catching his eye. O’Connor, Speaking at a 5 Star International event, said: “We're maybe a wee bit short with one or two players. We could maybe get a No 6, a central midfielder, and maybe another defender for competition. I really like Josh Mulligan, I rate him. He's been outstanding. His work ethic is just phenomenal and then there's what he does with the ball. He makes the right decisions, works back the park and tries to get forward." O’Connor has also urged for patience over striker Kieron Bowie, who has dropped out the Scotland squad, with four goals to his name so far this term. The former forward added: "I like Kieron and think the fans need to be patient with him. He's still a developing young player. “The goals will come and his touch will come. We need to nurture these young players as he's a future number nine for the country. It's just about keeping him right now. He's a fantastic player and if Hibs can hold on to him they will be doing well, it’s a great club to score goals for. Kieron has a wee bit about him. He's strong and can run in behind. He bullies defenders, he’s got everything to his game, but people need to calm down a bit with him. Just let him play. Let him play a full season and see what his numbers are. "I see people talking about his touch. But as a striker, your touch definitely gets better in your mid-20s. You understand where to put your body. It’s about gaining that experience and that will come for him as he gradually builds this season because he was injured for a lot of last season. The way I looked at it, you're basically raw until your mid-20s. At the beginning of your 20s, you do everything off the cuff. When you've got a few seasons under your belt everything starts to come a bit easier, your positioning, your movement. "But Kieron's got the absolute lot. He’s got the world at his feet. He's not your usual modern-day striker. He reminds me a wee bit of myself where he’s big, strong and powerful. Those strikers are hard to come. We don’t really produce them any more and that's in world football as well. It’s more strikers who are fast and want to run in behind and who can play on the wings. The big man is a number nine."
