Hibees need a new gem plan
They can’t keep Marcondes or Maolida but Foley’s millions can help club pick up top Scots talent
EMILIANO MARCONDES and Myziane Maolida are producing the kind of magic that might yet help conjure up a Euro spot for Hibs.
Unfortunately even Bill Foley’s wand is unlikely to see either loan star extend their spell at Easter Road beyond the end of May.
They might be enjoying their football and loving the city.
But both are on wages that Hibs just can’t afford – even with Foley’s investment.
It’s down to manager Nick Montgomery and his recruitment team to make the most of the bumped-up kitty they’ll get in the summer.
Going by the success of the January window then it should be an exciting time for fans.
I just hope Hibs don’t ignore the talent already in the country.
Hearts have done some good business this week tying up some of the best talents in the Premiership on pre-contracts.
Hibs should be looking for the next Kevin Nisbet. They are out there. Listen, Hibs could have 11 players from Mars and the fans wouldn’t care if they are winning games.
It’s important there’s a Scottish core at the club with the likes of David Marshall, Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson increasingly likely to move on.
There are obvious targets who are turning on the style in the top flight such as Danny Armstrong at Kilmarnock and Luke McCowan at Dundee.
Both have that X-factor and are absolutely at the level Hibs should be looking for. But they’d cost a pretty penny too with years left on their contracts and might just be out of range.
If that means dropping to the Championship to find gems then that should never be written off. Just remember the impact Nisbet made after coming in from Dunfermline.
There’s two players straight off the bat that I’ve thought for while now should be on Hibs’ radar.
Aidan Fitzpatrick at Partick Thistle and Liam McStravick at Airdrie. I know Kris Doolan and Rhys McCabe might not thank me for trying to sell their talent but if a decent offer came in then they may be tempted.
Fitzpatrick is definitely someone who is ready to step up. He’s still only 23 but has loads of top-team experience across two spells at Firhill and a stint with Queen of the South.
His talent convinced Norwich to shell out a decent fee to sign him as a teenager from the Jags and he has developed to become one of the best players in the Championship up here.
He’s sturdy, not easily pushed off the ball, but has pace and can create and score goals.
Fitzpatrick has set up a lot of Brian Graham’s goals this season and has chipped in with nine of his own.
McStravick is only 19 and maybe would need a bit of time. But what a talent the boy is. Airdrie signed him from Linfield last summer and he has been a regular in a side that’s attractive to watch.
He’s box-to-box and with a bit more development the kid could be a real asset within a couple of years.
Every time I’ve seen him this season he has stood out. He gets in the box, scores a few goals and looks to have a good attitude.
For me, the best player Hibs picked up from another Scottish club was John O’Neil.
He was a brilliant signing from St Johnstone, as soon as he came in he was magnificent. Ready made for Hibs.
John played in the great Alex McLeish team that had a Scottish core with a sprinkling of foreign stardust from Russell Latapy, Mathias Jack and big Mixu Paatelainen. A team that finished third and got to the Scottish Cup Final.
Unfortunately that kind of finish is way beyond Hibs this season but there’s still plenty to play for.
European football was the target last summer and although they’ve left themselves a job to do it’s not out of reach. First and foremost they absolutely have to make sure they cement that top-six spot in the Premiership.
Saturday’s demolition of Livingston was the kind of performance the fans have been crying out for.
It was full of creativity and the goals were brilliantly worked. That needs to be the standard for the last eight games.
Marcondes and Maolida might not stick about in Leith after May but they can still leave their mark to make sure their short stint is remembered fondly. Finish fourth, an improvement on last season under Lee Johnson, secure European football and it’s progress.
It’s important there’s a Scottish core at the club. The next Kevin Nisbet is out there