It was a week of exciting and impressive performance across the SPFL this weekend. Lewis, Keiran and Greg from NE98 picked their star 11, and give you their reasoning behind each selection.
David Mitchell – Clyde
Clyde have shown this season that they’ve settled in quite well to League One football, proving they can compete 1V1 with the big teams, proven when they beat Falkirk this weekend, keeping a clean-sheet in the process. Mitchell joined Danny Lennon’s side this summer from the Bairns and has shown no problem adjusting back to regular first team football after a few minimal years with Dundee and Falkirk. Clyde fans have heaped praise on Mitchell so far, at 29 you wouldn’t be shocked if some lower-table Championship sides sniff around Mitchell if this form continues.
Jeremie Frimpong – Celtic
The young Celtic full-back Frimpong makes the team after a high quality attacking display from defence. His mature performance was capped off by grabbing a goal after causing mayhem amongst the Dons back 4 throughout the game. The deadline-day signing may not have expected to be in amongst the Celtic starting 11 this early, and his defending ability is still to be properly tested, but early signs show he could be an invaluable asset to Neil Lennon in the future.
Troy Brown – Dundee United
Troy Brown had his best game in a Dundee United shirt so far against Dunfermline Athletic on Saturday. His solidity at the back was key in helping the Tangerines defeat the Pars 2-0 – keeping the only clean sheet in the league this match day. This could be a huge turning point for the defender as he hasn’t really impressed so far. However, he could be a good rotational optional at the back especially when Mark Connoly makes his return from injury. If Brown shows that this isn’t just a one off game he could cement his place in the starting XI.
Alan Lithgow – Livingston
It’s quite admirable how Livingston and Gary Holt have managed losing some of their best players in the summer. Despite the departures of Craig Halkett and Declan Gallagher, their back four continues to be incredibly difficult to break down, showing the perhaps the system was stronger than individuals. Although performances of both at their new clubs show there were big boots to fill, and Alan Lithgow has certainly grown to the occasion, after impressing quietly last season too. Not least than this weekend, helping Livi keep a clean-sheet, even after playing almost the full second-half with ten men.
Colin Hamilton – Arbroath
When you play Arbroath, you know you are in for a battle with their back four. What makes that back-four even harder to deal with in when they get forward and create an over-load for you as well. That’s something Partick Thistle struggled with on Saturday, and left-back Colin Hamilton not helped keep the Jags quiet for the most part – he also made his stride forward to slot through the goalkeeper’s legs for the third goal.
James Forrest – Celtic
You could probably pick the whole Celtic team from Saturday, although that would be unfair as their central defenders had little to do, Scott Brown barely had a tackle to deal with and Fraser Forster probably forgot what a football feels like. James Forrest however, despite only having a confused and disorganised Aberdeen defense to deal with, he grabbed a goal and an assist to put the Dons to bed early and generally gave Andy Considine a horrid time.
Ryan McGeever – Dumbarton
Ryan McGeever was the only saving grace in what seemed to be quite a dull game. The midfielder scored the only goal putting Dumbarton ahead of Peterhead. McGeever was perfectly positioned to score a tap in from Layne’s cross. The centre mid has really impressed so far in his first season playing for the Sons with 2 goals already. Dumbarton now sit 5th, on the rise.
Tom Rogic – Celtic
Tom Rogic has been out of the fold at Celtic for quite a bit it feels, and generally if you were to create a hierarchy list of central midfielders at Celtic, he’d no longer be that high on it. That said, of course against Aberdeen at Pittodrie he’d pop up and make himself difficult to deal with – grabbing two assists. The Australian certainly strikes you as a confidence player, so it would be no shock to see him go on a run of games now. Although the return of Ryan Christie could limit his minutes again, which is a shame after a performance like that (Again, albeit against a fairly passive Aberdeen).
David Wotherspoon – St Johnstone
David Wotherspoon marked his return to the Saint Johnstone staring 11 by contributing 2 goals and creating chances for his team-mates. In doing so the Saints finally claimed their first 3 points of the season as they look to move off the foot of the table. It was a standout performance for Wotherspoon and if he keeps playing at that level it will be very difficult for Tommy Wright to leave him out any time soon – He’s just one of those players that keeps himself active in Scotland’s top league.
Bob McHugh – Morton
Bob McHugh scored twice helping Morton upset promotion challengers Inverness Caledonian Thistle. The strikers first goal came early on when he clipped the ball over the Caley keeper Mark Ridgers. McHugh’s second came in the 80th minute when he took advantage of Donaldson’s mistake at the back, the forward ran through on goal and slotted the ball under the goalie. McHugh is now the 3rd top goalscorer in the league with 5 goals, he also has 4 assists to his name – He’s Morton’s star man thus far.
Odsonne Edouard – Celtic
Eduard leads the line in our team of the week after another excellent performance at the weekend. He opened the scoring for the Hoops on the 10th minute and tormented the Dons centre backs throughout the game with his crisp passing and movement. He will definitely be amongst the contenders for top goal scorer come the end of the season but Neil Lennon will be just as happy with his work off the ball and build up play.
NE98 