PAUL DIXON reckons Kilmarnock and Hibs will provide Huddersfield Town with a useful tune-up ahead of the new Championship campaign.
Simon Grayson’s squad, who report back to start pre-season training a week today, head for Killie on Wednesday, July 25 (7.45) and Hibs on Saturday 28 (2.00).
The matches against the Scottish Premier League sides are part of a week-long training camp. Town have never previously visited either Rugby Park or Easter Road, but after playing for Dundee and Dundee United, newly-signed left-back Dixon is familiar with both.
“It’s strange going back to Scotland so soon after leaving, but I’m looking forward to the games,” said the 25-year-old.
“Kilmarnock are a tidy team, and (manager) Kenny Shiels has got them playing some nice football.
“They finished seventh in the SPL last season and beat Celtic at Hampden to win the League Cup, which was a great achievement.
“Hibs are in a period of transition, and it’s fair to say it was only Dunfermline’s struggle to adapt after winning promotion which saved them from the drop.
“They did get to the Scottish Cup final, but suffered a bad (5-1) defeat by their big rivals Hearts, which will have hurt.
“Pat Fenlon, their manager, will demand a big improvement, and they’ve just brought in a decent midfielder in Paul Cairney from Partick Thistle. They’ve redeveloped their ground in recent years, and I’m sure our travelling supporters will enjoy both venues.”
