Rovers win race to land McGeouch

BLACKBURN ROVERS are poised to win the race to land Hibernian midfielder Dylan McGeouch. Speaking after Wednesday night’s defeat to Hearts, an unhappy Neil Lennon confirmed that the 25-year-old will leave Easter Road this summer when his contract expires. Aberdeen boss Derek

McInnes was keen to make the former Celtic midfielder an offer to keep him in Scotland.

Unable to compete financially with the deal offered by newlypromoted English Championship side Blackburn, however, the Pittodrie club were offered no encouragement.

And McGeouch could put pen to paper before flying out with Scotland for their end-of-season friendlies with Peru and Mexico on May 23.

Ironically, McGeouch could make a quickfire return to Leith after Rovers were confirmed as the opponents for defender Paul Hanlon’s testimonial on July 8.

Increasingly concerned by the loss of up to seven key players this summer, it’s uncertain who will be managing Hibs by then after Lennon admitted he is now considering his future at Easter Road.

‘I don’t know what the budget is next season. I don’t even know what the budget is this season,’ he said.

‘McGeouch is going to leave. We’ve got a bit of surgery to do.’

Lennon is in dialogue with the Hibs board over a bid to sign Swiss loan striker Florian Kamberi.

The Edinburgh club have first option on the Grasshoppers forward, but have yet to tie up a permanent deal.

Brighton are also keen on Scotland midfielder John McGinn, with further doubts over the club’s ability to hang on to Efe Ambrose and loan trio Scott Allan, Jamie Maclaren and Brandon Barker.

Lennon is growing increasingly concerned by his ability to keep Hibs competitive and will consider his position after Sunday’s final league game against Rangers after missing out on second place in the Ladbrokes Premiership.