DUO IN GAFFER’S PLANS
LEE JOHNSON insists Dan Mackay and Dylan Tait have futures at Easter Road despite missing out on Hibs’ pre-season trip.
The duo, who finished last season at Kilmarnock on loan, are still in Scotland as Johnson puts a 27-man squad though their paces in Portugal, a situation that has triggered speculation.
The manager admits he’s looking to send both out on loan again this term but he won’t write off their time in Leith. He said: “It’s important young players get 25-plus games a season.
“If you’re not going to get them in the first team here right now but are a step ahead of that development squad, then a loan becomes the next option.
“Both players have interest in them. Do they have futures at Hibs? Yeah.
“They are young players, they pop at different times and it would be unfair not to see them first hand over the next six months.”
As for potential loan destinations, Johnson added: “Ideally close enough where they can get back in with us, do firstteam sessions and then they get the best of both.
“Dunfermline were interested in Dan but he is probably looking at Championship minimum.”