Hibs coach backs Dylan Vente to have same impact as 29-goal fellow countryman
The Dutchman made an ideal start to life at Easter Road on Thursday evening, scoring on his debut as Hibs defeated Luzern 3-1 at Easter Road in the first leg of their Uefa Conference League third-qualifying round clash.
Vente was recruited last month for a £700,000 fee from Roda JC and big things are expected of the 24-year-old. He would do well to match the output from Van Veen, who departed Motherwell earlier this summer for Groningen after scoring 29 goals for the Steelmen last term, including netting in 11 consecutive matches to end the season and set a new club record at Fir Park.
It will be a tall order for Vente to reach those sort of numbers in his maiden campaign in Edinburgh, but if Thursday night’s performance is anything to go by then he’ll have the capability to do so – especially if he’s continuously handed quality chances like the one strike-partner Adam Le Fondre provided against Luzern.
“Absolutely,” said Gray when asked if he could match Van Veen. “He’s started really well with a goal on his debut. That’s why he’s been brought to the football club, to kick on and try to make us more successful. That’s why the investment has been made and we’re hoping it’s a really good signing. It’s someone else to add strength and depth to a squad that’s already a very good one.
“Every player playing for a club like Hibs have expectation on them. It’s such a big club with a great fanbase so the expectation is always there.
“You mentioned how well Dylan did on Thursday, but to a man I thought we were fantastic. To single anyone out would be unfair to the rest of the squad and those who contributed.
“Dylan scores and gets a goal on his debut, but I thought his work rate was fantastic as well.
“We’re in a good place at the moment. The feel good factor from last night, it’s important we keep that going.”
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Martin Boyle ‘among Australia’s greatest’ as Hibs defender dreams of international connection
Boyle hasn’t played for the Socceroos since last year after it was discovered he’d been playing for several seasons with a torn ACL, though the flying winger is expected to join back up with Graham Arnold’s squad when they take on Mexico in an international friendly next month.
Miller had yet to make his international bow and is currently behind Hearts’ Nathaniel Atkinson at the right-back position. But having struggled to find regular playing time following his move to Easter Road last season, Miller is beginning to become a trusted member of the squad under manager Lee Johnson and will do his chances no harm if he continues to perform like he did against Luzern on Thursday evening.
Should the call come from his home nation, Miller believes the understanding he and Boyle are establishing at club level will be an asset at international level.
“It is really good to play on the right with him,” he said. “It is that Australian connection, isn’t it?! He makes my life easier. I’ve just got to defend and make sure nothing happens on that right side. I just need to give him the ball and watch him work his magic.
“I will do everything I can, in attack and defence, to help on that flank but we work well and I thought we worked really well on Thursday. I heard a lot of good words from the players and I spoke to Boyler as well and we know that if we can maintain that level then we will definitely cause teams problems down that side.
“He is, in my opinion, one of the greatest players Australia has had, in recent times anyway. He is so direct and every time he gets the ball everyone expects something to happen.
“He is a constant threat and he is a great player to have at the club and we all just hope he can stay fit. He is obviously coming back from a long injury which you wouldn’t have known. He is just playing on adrenaline and when he gets the ball he just gives 120 per cent.”
