Hibs boss Lennon hopes to persuade McGeouch

NEIL Lennon has not given up on persuading Dylan McGeouch to stay at Hibs after revealing the midfielder could be set for a change of heart.

The Easter Road boss previously admitted the out-of-contract Scotland squad member had decided it was time to move on.

The 25-year-old appeared close to tears as he waved goodbye to the Leith crowd following their final game of the season against Rangers.

England was expected to be his next move, with Fulham, Brentford and QPR keeping tabs on the former Celtic playmaker.

But Lennon is clinging to the hope that McGeouch might decide against heading south and instead pen a fresh deal to remain in Edinburgh.

Lennon said: “It’s an interesting one with Dylan because it’s not done yet. We are still in there fighting for that.

“We’ve a small chink of light. The way he was after his last game we more or less felt that may be it but there’s still some movement there.

“The club have made him what we feel is a very good offer.”

Lennon faces having to start again this summer unless he can tie down deals for some of the star performers who took his newly-promoted outfit to a whisker of finishing second.

John McGinn remains at the centre of speculation tipping him with a move south – although no firm offer has yet been received – while loanees Florian Kamberi, Jamie Maclaren and Scott Allan are due to return to their parent clubs.

But Lennon is confident he can hold onto the bulk of the squad.

“Talks are ongoing, we’ve made a pitch certainly for Kamberi but I can’t tell you too much about the Maclaren situation.”

Striker Nicky Clark has joined up at Tannadice from Dunfermline.