St Johnstone and Hibs both have managers under pressure
Will the pressure drop for either of the bosses on Saturday?
A 2-1 home win over St Mirren is not only the Perth sides only league win of the season so far, it is the reason they are not at the bottom of the table. The Paisley club are on the same points as their Perth rivals but an inferior goal difference means Derek McInnes’ side can still solace from not being the bottom club.
That can change in a game though and with the SPL being tightly packed, a win or two would make every manager breathe a lot more easily. There have been some grumblings about the start to St Johnstone’s season but if McInnes think he is under pressure, he only needs to take a look at the manager who will be in the away team dug-out on Saturday.
Steven Anderson has been handed a one-match for the two yellow cards (but no red) he received at Tannadice but he will still be available for the game on Saturday. The one-match ban takes place when St Johnstone visit Inverness Caley on the 16th October and the player will then sit out a further game against Hamilton on the 23rd of October.
Hibs were without Sol Bamba and Colin Nish at Celtic Park, both players were listed as injured but also linked as the players involved in the Rugby Park bust-up but both are back in contention this weekend. Whilst many Hibs fans took a lot from the performance at Celtic Park but this match will be a much more real test for the Leith club.
If Hibs fail to get the win at McDiarmid Park, some fans will have had enough of John Hughes’ reign. Mind you, some fans have already had their fill of big Yogi but you wonder how much longer Hibs decline can continue?
Hibs only win of the season came on the first day of the season at Fir Park but since then, it has been slim pickings for the Hibs faithful. With only six games gone, there is no need to panic too much but given the way that Hibs started their league campaign last season, the anxiety of hibs fans is very real.
The goal at Celtic Park last weekend showed just what Derek Riordan can do, that is not up for grabs but he really needs to start doing it every week, for his own career and for that of his boss. Craig Levein may have yet again overlooked Riordan but if he can just add more consistency to his performances, there will surely be a place for the player.
Far better websites than us have hoped that Derek Riordan will eventually live up to his potential but right now, his country could really do with a player of his talent and skill performing on a weekly basis.
The Hibs fans will settle for getting that on a weekly basis for their club, never mind the international arena.
