Tie up deal for Jamie pre-Russia
STEVE COWAN has warned Neil Lennon he should make nailing down Jamie Maclaren on a permanent deal at Hibs his No.1 priority before Australia head to Russia.
Maclaren is in the final 23-man World Cup squad after impressing boss Bert van Marwijk during the pre-tournament training camp in Turkey
The forward scored eight goals in 15 games on loan at Easter Road from Darmstadt last season – and the Bundesliga 2 club say they want him back.
But former Hibs striker Cowan fears Lennon’s hopes of sealing a deal for Maclaren permanently could bescuppered if the 24 year-old can replicate his domestic form on the biggest stage of all.
Cowan said: “If I was Neil Lennon I would be looking at tying up Jamie Maclaren on a longer-team deal right now before Australia even get on the plane to Russia. That would be my main priority.
“Jamie has spoken very passionately about how he has enjoyed his time at Hibs and he owes a real debt of gratitude to Lennon for the fact he is even in the Australia World Cup squad in the first place.
“The real difficulty for Hibs will be if Jamie goes to the World Cup finals and scores on that stage. What happens then? Jamie has a much higher profile now and his value would certainly increase.
“Every player wants to play at the highest level possible and a good showing by Jamie in the World Cup could see other clubs in Europe alerted to his situation.
“He might even attract interest from a Bundesliga team because he has been in and around Germany and knows the football culture and how it all operates there.
“Chief executive Leeann Dempster has said they will be giving Lenny the biggest budget in the club’s history.
“If some of those funds could be directed towards financing a long-term deal for Jamie that would represent a great piece of business. Hibs need a goalscorer and Jamie is most certainly that.”