Exclusive:Hull City stalwart Regan Slater tipped to be 'key' in Premier League campaign by ex-Tigers man Kevin Kilbane
Former Hull City winger Kevin Kilbane has lavished praise on a key Tigers figure
Hull City may be splashing the cash on high-profile new signings - but ex-Tigers winger Kevin Kilbane has tipped the long-serving Regan Slater to be a key figure in their Premier League campaign.
When Slater joined Hull on loan from Sheffield United in 2020, the Tigers were a League One club eyeing promotion to the Championship.
He lifted the third-tier title in his maiden Hull campaign, later penning a permanent deal and becoming part of the furniture at the MKM Stadium. Last season, he was an important cog in the Hull machine that clinched promotion from the Championship.
A tenacious midfielder with a remarkable engine, the 26-year-old marked his Premier League debut with an assist in Hull’s 2-0 victory over Manchester United at the weekend.
He saw his contract extended by a further year back in March and reports have indicated another new deal is heading his way.
Kevin Kilbane salutes Regan Slater
Kilbane, who represented Hull between 2009 and 2012, told The Yorkshire Post via betGoodwin: “When I was watching Hull, moreso towards the back end of last season, I remember they were talking about his record of playing. I think in the last four years, he’s played virtually 40 games every season.
“Over the last four, five years, he’s played so many games. He’s still only 26. He’s got so much experience. So many players now, you see at various levels of the game, have only played 100 games by the time they reach 25. He’s been prepared to go out on loan, in League One, and play football.
“That’s where I feel these lads are worth their weight in gold, particularly when the going will get tough for Hull. When they need players like him, who have played a lot games and can draw on a lot of experience, he’s going to be a player that will be key for them this year, in the dressing room as well as on the field.”
Hull City’s bargain buy
Hull fans regularly chant about the fact Slater set the club back a paltry £50,000. Tigers boss Sergej Jakirovic was recently told of how little was paid for the midfielder and could do little but wax lyrical about him.
He said: “50 grand? Not bad. When I arrived here, Regan Slater was not first-team player. I think that he jumped in aaginst Preston at home at half-time. He completely turned the game.
“Since then, he’s been a first XI player. He’s my first choice and always. I like him a lot because every training, every game, he’s 100 per cent.”