Exclusive:'He's up against it' - Kevin Kilbane lays out challenge for Hull City's Joe Gelhardt after Leeds United exit
Kevin Kilbane has delivered a verdict on Hull City’s Joe Gelhardt following his move from Leeds United
Former Hull City winger Kevin Kilbane believes Joe Gelhardt will be “up against it” following his permanent move from Leeds United to the MKM Stadium.
The 24-year-old enjoyed two stellar loan spells with the Tigers before sealing a permanent switch to East Yorkshire earlier this month.
It was a move lauded by Hull supporters. who had grown incredibly fond of the fleet-footed operator during his temporary stints.
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Kevin Kilbane on Joe Gelhardt
Kilbane was also impressed by ‘Joffy’, but has conceded it will be a challenge to emulate his Championship form in the Premier League.
He told The Yorkshire Post: “The one thing I’ve always seen with people who’ve done well in the Championship, there’s very few that have stepped up and really gone on and reached that same level. I think that’s fair to say. He’s up against it. History will tell you that one.
“But, watching him last season, and how instrumental he actually became for the team, and what happened there at Hull last year...
“They had to sign loan players, signing under certain conditions. What’s happened - and with him in particular over the course of the year - I thought he was excellent last year, and a real leader in the team as well as the goals and the creativity that he brought.”
Gelhardt was initially tipped for a bright future at Leeds and enjoyed promising cameos during the reign of Marcelo Bielsa.
However, he struggled to build upon early promise and found himself far down the pecking order. Prior to his loan spells at Hull, the versatile forward was borrowed by Sunderland.
Verdict on Hull City’s prospects
Hull have been widely tipped to find themselves in a battle for survival, as most promoted clubs do in the modern era. However, they did send shockwaves through the division last weekend by beating Manchester United 2-0 in their campaign opener.
Kilbane, who represented the Tigers between 2009 and 2012, is hoping his former employers can be a surprise package.
He said: “I’m hopeful with Hull. They spent a lot of money, there’s a lot of money being spent, so hopefully they can be that team that can be a bit of a surprise package this year.”