Players united on who will be top Ladbrokes Premiership scorer
Published:
They may be split across three likely contenders, but players from the Ladbrokes Premiership expect the top scorer this year to come from a select group of three.
Celtic new boy Nadir Ciftci, team-mate Leigh Griffiths and Aberdeen hotshot Adam Rooney were the main candidates when Ladbrokes News caught up with some top-flight representatives at Hampden Park ahead of the new season.
Here’s who they voted for who and all the relevant odds:
The 23-year-old Turkish-born strike ace smashed 14 league goals for Dundee United last term to take his tally to 33 in 82 for The Terrors and earn himself a move to the top stage with Celtic.
His performances at Tannadice Park certainly caught the eye with Ross County’s Andrew Davies, Dundee United’s Sean Dillon and Hamilton’s Michael McGovern expecting him to top the charts this season.
Former team-mate Dillon said: “Adam Rooney had an excellent season last year and the boys at Celtic could all have a good season.
“If Nadir plays as much as he did last year he’ll get goals again. I know how good he is and if he gets the service he’ll definitely be up there.”
Griffiths, 24, has bagged goals aplenty everywhere he’s played. A total of 26 strikes in 53 games for Livingston saw Dundee come calling and a further 33 goals in just 62 games saw him move south of the border to Wolves.
Despite being swiftly loaned to Hibernian, a return of 39 goals in 78 appearances for HIbs saw him given a chance at Molineux and 18 strikes from 31 games in the Midlands ensured a move to the big time with Celtic.
A 28-goal haul, including 20 last year alone, means big things are expected of Griffiths this year, and this has not been lost on Kevin Thomson of Dundee, Keith Lasley of Motherwell and St Johnstone’s Dave Mackay.
The Saints man said: “If Griffiths starts the way he finished last season and is playing every week then he’ll run away with it.”
Rooney smashed an impressive 18 Premiership goals for Aberdeen last year to fire his side to second and, with a further 10 strikes in all competitions, he will be among the big hitters in 2015-16.
It’s fair to say the 27-year-old struggled during his time in England with Birmingham, Swindon and Oldham, but a return to Scotland has seen him find his feet once more and Kilmarnock’s Mark Connolly, Partick’s Abdul Osman and Alim Ozturk of Hearts expect the Dons ace to be prolific once more.
Of Rooney’s press, Connolly said: “Big Adam Rooney is a good player and Aberdeen are a good side too, so I think he definitely has a solid chance of being top goalscorer.”
One player opting to look outside of the three players heading the betting though was Celtic captain Scott Brown.
The Bhoys midfielder expects former Dundee United man Goodwillie to start plenty of games for Aberdeen this season and says the 26-year-old will be among the goals.
“I think Goody will have a great season. Adam Rooney had a really good season last year but it looks like Goody’s been starting to play for Aberdeen,” he said.
“Greg Stewart will go well at Dundee again too, but if I can’t say Leigh Griffiths, I’ll say Goody.”
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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