Hibs recover from loss of stars and now eye Europe

Leeann Dempster insists Hibs were steeled for the challenge of replacing their top talent during the summer as she hailed the progress that has been made at the capital club – on and off the pitch.

The Hibees played hardball with Celtic over the sale of John McGinn, rejecting three bids before ultimately banking £3 million for the Scotland international when he joined Aston Villa. Dylan McGeouch departed under freedom of contract to join Sunderland, while loan star Scott Allan returned to the Hoops.

As well as losing their entire midfield, the likes of Brandon Barker and Simon Murray also exited.

However, Hibs have responded magnificently and, having made 10 new signings, now boast a squad that includes 13 full internationalists as they eye another charge for Europe.

Addressing Hibs shareholders at the club’s annual meeting, the Easter Road chief executive Dempster underlined the planning the went into their close season captures.

She said: “We all know we lost some key players at the end of last season. Rebuilding was always going to be tough. But we’d planned for that possibility – it wasn’t a shock to us.

“We have a strong and resilient plan in place and the summer transfer market window saw us recruit no fewer than eight full internationals, plus Stevie Mallan and Flo Kamberi who have been in the (Scotland and Switzerland) under-21s.

“We want to play an attacking, high pressing, fast-paced brand of football and that’s how we recruit our players – to fit that style. All of that required well judged investment, and not just in the wage bill.”

Hibs recently announced a £200,000 pre-tax profit for the financial year ending June 2018, recovering admirably from a £277,000 loss for the previous 12 months.

Higher SPFL prize money, a fourth-place finish and home gates for league matches averaging 18,100 were cited as key factors as the club’s turnover hit £9.6 million – the highest since 2007 – compared to £7.7m for 2017.

Dempster is targeting continental qualification again this season, albeit she underlined the challenge that poses.

She said: “It might sound simple enough but is not easy to do.”