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Former Celtic keeper David Marshall came close to joining Hibs – but not recently.
There were reports last weekend that the crocked goalie was about to head to Easter Road when his loan deal at Queens Park Rangers ends later this month.
The 37-year-old – who played in all three games for Scotland at the Euro 2020 Finals last summer before being frozen out at cashstrapped Derby County – has revealed that he did hold talks with the Edinburgh club, but that they took place at the turn of the year.
Still recovering from the hamstring injury he sustained playing for QPR against Nottingham Forest in March, free agent Marshall must wait and see what his options will be.
“I’ve no idea where that story came from,” he claimed.
“There was a chance I might move to Hibs in January because, obviously, I know Shaun Maloney really well from our time at Parkhead.
“But it didn’t happen, and there’s nothing more to say about that.”
With Maloney having been sacked by chairman Ron Gordon, that deal appears to be dead in the water, although Marshall refuses to rule out a return north of the border.
“Would the Premiership be an option? I’ll need to wait and see, but anyone who signs me will know what they’re getting,” said Marshall, although he’ll have an eye on November’s World Cup Finals in Qatar when he makes up his mind.
“I’m open to anything. It’s just a case of returning to full fitness and taking it from there.
“There’s the possibility of a place at the World Cup Finals in Qatar in November for myself and everyone else to aim for if we can make it through the play-offs against Ukraine and Wales next month.
“Those knock-out games are massive, but they represent a great opportunity for us. It would mean us playing twice in four days, but being able to fight for a place at the World Cup would be incredible.”
It adds another factor into Marshall’s decision-making.
If he were to sign for a club as an understudy, and Steve Clarke’s squad manage to progress to the Finals, then he’ll have little chance of being with them.
“That’s the decision to be made, especially as you get older,” he said.
“Goalkeepers are different because we’re a specialist position, which means that you’re either playing every week, or you’re not.
“Outfield players can come off the bench for game time, and keep their minutes up. But goalies don’t have that luxury.
“There might be offers to go somewhere and be a back-up – or even a training goalkeeper – but that’s up to the individual and how ambitious they are.
“Personally, I’ve never thought of anything else than being a first-choice throughout my career.
“I’ve not been presented with anything yet, though. At this stage of the season, it would be unbelievably rare to have an offer, especially when you’ve been out of action.
“I’m about three weeks away from being ready to play again – just in time for the season to finish, which is so frustrating.”