Hibs the only option for Gauld on return to Scotland

RYAN Gauld last night admitted Hibernian were the only club in Scotland he would have signed four years after leaving the country.

The 23-yearold Sporting Lisbon winger will now remain at Easter Road until the end of the season after days of negotiations between the clubs.

Neil Lennon, the Hibs manager, has been a fan of Gauld for years and the two insisted this was a perfect match. “I felt it was the right time to go back to Scotland and it’s the first time I’ve felt like that since I left,” said Gauld. “Hibs represented the best opportunity for me with the way the team likes to play. It’s the best fit for me.

“It’s a great club to play for, one of the biggest in Scotland, and I’m just looking forward to getting started. Hopefully we can push Hibs back into the top six where we belong and then even further into the top four.”

Lennon had made Gauld his priority signing this transfer window and he was delighted to eventually get his man.

He said: “For me, Ryan looks to be coming back as a more rounded player. His knowledge of the Scottish game will stand him in good stead and I hope he’ll be able to hit the ground running – but he’s better equipped than he was at 17.

“Tactically, Ryan is very flexible. He can play on the right, left and off the striker. He can play deep midfield if he wants but where we really want to see him is in the final third.” .