Town boss Kieran McKenna believes striker George Hirst is “primed to have a good season” for the Blues, the frontman having netted three times in the Blues’ two public friendlies.

Hirst has worn the number nine shirt, at his own request, and looks set to go into the Championship campaign as Town’s main striker following the £30 million departure of Liam Delap to Chelsea.

The 26-year-old scored twice in the 4-1 win against Austrians Blau-Weiß Linz, one from the penalty spot, before netting the second in the 3-1 win at Aberdeen on Friday.

“We think he’s really primed to have a good season,” McKenna said following the victory at Pittodrie. “I think he’s a striker who has really got his best years ahead of him, for sure.

“In my opinion, he’s a late developer, who is 26 but I think he’s really just finding his body and finding his power, understanding his game, growing as a leader. I think he’s in a great place in his career.

“So, touch wood, he can stay fit throughout the season and I think he can have a really strong year.”

Hirst has been boosted by winning his first Scotland caps last season having switch allegiance from England, who he represented at U17, U18, U19 and U20 levels and with whom his father David won three senior caps, scoring once.

The Blues striker, who started his career with hometown club Sheffield Wednesday where his dad is a club legend, has now won four caps and bagged his first international goal in the 4-0 victory in Liechtenstein last month, his second start for Steve Clarke’s side.

“I know it’s been a big thing for him over the last couple of years,” McKenna added. “He’s been waiting and hoping for it and I’ve been telling him it would come.

“It was something that was important to him and he really wanted to get that recognition and the opportunity to represent Scotland, so he was absolutely delighted when the call came.

“It’s been a big boost for him and getting his goal for them in the summer and starting pretty early after going into the camp, I think is all a big boost for him, so he’s in a good way.”

Photo: ITFC

flykickingbybgunn added 11:31 - Jul 28 Yes, but we still need backup. Still, time yet.
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Lightningboy added 11:38 - Jul 28 "If" all stay fit I can see Hirst,Jack Clarke,Szmodics & Philogene all getting 15+ goals each this season.
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jas0999 added 11:52 - Jul 28 Agreed, providing he stays fit. His jury record to date suggests he won’t. Can miss more than he plays, which is why it’s essential we replace Delap as soon as possible, with a good permanent addition to the squad. Questionable whether AAH is good enough and he may benefit from a loan.
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muccletonjoe added 12:00 - Jul 28 Lets hope he can stay fit, who do we replace him with ?
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Edmundo added 12:17 - Jul 28 I have a feeling KM might only get a "cover" striker rather than one to compete with Hirst. Save the fee for midfielders.
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ArnieM added 12:24 - Jul 28 I've always rated George. He was really unfortunate to get such a bad hamstring, this undoubtedly fed into his knee injury, which I dont think they rehabed particularly well, and as he says he then got hit on the knee with ball and got another injury. This says to me his knee wasn't strong enough from the original injury. But, hes fully fit now, and I think he'll be fine. To my knowledge he had no injury issues prior to joining us, so if rehabed properly he should be fighting fit for the season, which is good because such good all round target man. He brings other forwards into the game and links up so well, and keeps cB's occupied. Come on George, and COYBs

8

tetchris added 12:35 - Jul 28 We need another striker!
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C_Jam_Blue added 12:37 - Jul 28 So this is either KM building George's confidence ahead of the new season or managing our expectations about the prospect of signing a major new striker. Probably a bit of both.
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gippeswyk added 13:17 - Jul 28 C_Jam_Blue, why so cynical? Maybe KM is giving us his professional assessment of George's preseason form and development, not trying to stroke George's ego or make any indirect message about signing another striker. I reckon another striker will come in as we can't rely on just one, no matter how fit and on form he is now. It's a long season and Ali isn't at the required level yet.

0

cooper4england added 13:44 - Jul 28 Can Szmodic play up top if Hirst injured?
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TedTurnip added 13:52 - Jul 28 The last season we were in the Championship we were all extremely worried when Hirst was injured over the winter period, that was how influential he became in that campaign. No reason why he could not achieve that again - agree with others, staying injury free will be key.
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Cadiar added 14:24 - Jul 28 Hirst is now 26. He may be a late developer but he really has to shine this season or he's going to be a championship player for the rest of his career. His record previous toIpswich was hardly scintillating this season is hugely important for him. Would love to see him injury free & scoring freely.
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oldelsworthyfan added 14:43 - Jul 28 Overshadowed By Delap. Underrated by some. Unselfish by bringing others into the game. Expect 20 goals from him this season. He's a current full international centre forward!
3

oldelsworthyfan added 14:43 - Jul 28 Overshadowed By Delap. Underrated by some. Unselfish by bringing others into the game. Expect 20 goals from him this season. He's a current full international centre forward!
1

Bluedocker added 15:08 - Jul 28 He's more of a team player than delap was brings others into game more..hopefully he stays fit that's my only concern..
4

Dutchman1 added 16:09 - Jul 28 I have no qualms about his fitness - it will have been the training and coaching staff’s key focus with him to get sorted out. I would not be averse to another striker being added for some depth but Hirst is the number one now and will score 25 this season. In all honesty, I prefer him to Delap.
3

Linkboy13 added 17:32 - Jul 28 Has anyone mentioned we need another striker .
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Linkboy13 added 17:32 - Jul 28 Has anyone mentioned we need another striker .
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Linkboy13 added 17:33 - Jul 28 That's two
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Marinersnose added 18:33 - Jul 28 We need a striker to compete with Hirst not back him up. We should be planning on a PL return next season. Healthy competition is good for all. Sadly Hirst has suffered with injuries but fingers crossed he stays fit.
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trevski_s added 20:15 - Jul 28 I reckon Hirst is going to tear up the league this season with both assists and goals. His previous link up with Chappers, Broady and Omari was amazing and now he can also link up with Smzods, Jaden and Jack our attack line is looking very strong Still could do with 1 or 2 strikers for those off the bench moments and rotation to keep Hirst fresh. I'm thinking an experienced striker on a 1 or 2 year deal who is happy to come off the bench to make a difference or be used in rotation (thinking in the mould of Kieffer Moore) and then a younger striker who wants to come in a learn the game (from Hirst and the older striker) but also gives us a fresh option off bench (maybe a loan). Plus there is also the academy strikers (Buabo and Taylor are 2 I think are ready) who could come up to learn a few things and get some minutes (while also not counting to the 25 limit)

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dirtydingusmagee added 20:52 - Jul 28 he is being talked up a lot by KM which is fine,however imo he is still a bit suspect when it comes to fitness, and for that reason i still think we need another decent striker ,Things have not really gone how i expected so far in this window, and Omari situation is still clouding things , Was hoping we would be all done and dusted and a bonding squad by now ..

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Linkboy13 added 22:24 - Jul 28 Teams don't want to part with their best players especially strikers. Don't think there are many seasons when deals are all sealed up before the season starts. Got this feeling we might be bringing in someone from abroad possibly Spain.
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Linkboy13 added 22:24 - Jul 28 Teams don't want to part with their best players especially strikers. Don't think there are many seasons when deals are all sealed up before the season starts. Got this feeling we might be bringing in someone from abroad possibly Spain.
0

PhuketPete added 01:49 - Jul 29 Nice positive article about George spoilt by some repetitive comments about his fitness and needing more strikers. We all know he had a couple of (unrelated) injuries and we need more cover up front. But we don’t need to keep reading about it over and over again. Can we not just be happy for George for once? By the way we’ll never develop Ali if we add more strikers and don’t give him minutes: same for Elkan and Cam. Sooner or later these guys need a baptism of fire

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