The Tigers remain favourites for a play-off spot with four games to go
Barry Cooper Hull City correspondent
06:00, 15 Apr 2026
Oli McBurnie fired City in front at Bramall Lane(Image: Mark Sutton/Getty Images)
Chris Wilder has heralded the job Sergej Jakirovic has done so far at Hull City, after gaining some semblance of revenge for their 1-0 defeat at the MKM Stadium earlier in the season.
Wilder’s men came from behind courtesy of Oli McBurnie’s strike to beat City 2-1 at Bramall Lane on Saturday, in what was a controversial end with referee John Brooks sending off ex-Blade John Lundstram, before awarding United a bizarre penalty from which Gus Hamer levelled.
Danny Ings then wrapped up the victory in the closing stages, denting City’s play-off hopes. Despite that loss, though, Jakirovic’s men remain in a strong position with only four games left.
Being in the mix for a play-off place has come as a surprise to many, given the Tigers’ struggles of last season and then again during the summer, when they were hit by a ban on paying transfer or loan fees.
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Jakirovic’s men have been in the play-off picture all season, and the Croatian has been rewarded for his side’s form by being nominated for the Championship’s Manager of the Season.
“I really like him, and he’s done a fabulous job this year. I like his personality, I like his team, I like the way he’s constructed his team through how they play, the character and personalities I know a lot about,” Wilder said.
No fewer than four players in the City side at Bramall Lane have played under Wilder, and he says part of his admiration for the Tigers comes from working with Lundstram, McBurnie, John Egan and Matt Crooks.
“They’re dangerous players, and they’re in the position that they are for a reason; they’re good, and they hurt you,” he continued. “I really like the manager and his coaching staff, and I know all those guys. I like his team, and I like his players. We’ve got connections, we’ve got experience.”
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