Hibernian

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Brian McLauchlin, BBC Sport Scotland

The focus has certainly been on who Nick Montgomery will bring in to strengthen what at times has been a patchwork defence.

The addition of Australian under-23 international Nectarios Triantis will be music to the ears for Hibs fans.

The fact he is likely to be joined later by the Bournemouth defender Owen Bevan will also help ensure stiff competition for starting places.

It’s been a strange window for the Easter Road club with a lot of speculation regarding the investment by Bournemouth owner Billy Foley.

The next few months now will all be about trying to ensure a European spot for next season and a fairly strong summer of change will no doubt happen in Leith.

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Nectarios Triantes has his eyes on lifting the Scottish Cup with Hibs after joining on loan from Sunderland until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old reunites with Nick Montgomery, having worked under the Englishman at Australian outfit Central Coast Mariners.

“I am really excited to be here," the centre-back said. "It hasn’t been a long time coming but it has been in the works for a while now so I am delighted to be here now and really excited to get started.

“The team, the Gaffer, the way that Hibs play were all big parts of my reason to come here.

“I know a lot about how the team play through my time in Australia playing under Monty and Sergio (Raimundo).

"I had an amazing time at Central Coast, it was my debut season playing professional football, so to win silverware in that year was amazing and it has given me that hunger to achieve more.

“The Gaffer and I spoke together and he showed me his visualisation for the rest of the season. Of course, we want to try to win the Scottish Cup and do as well as we can in the league between now and the end of the season.”

Image source, Hibernian FC

Hibs have secured a deal for Sunderland centre-back Nectarios Triantis on loan until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old has worked with Nick Montgomery before, during his time at Central Coast Mariners, and has been capped by Australia at under-23 level.

Triantis has made just three first-team appearances for Sunderland since signing from Mariners in the summer, and heads north of the border in search of regular minutes.

“Nectar is a young player that I know very well from my time in Australia," Montgomery said. "I signed him for the Mariners and gave him his A-League debut as I saw huge potential in him.

“He was a mainstay in our Championship-winning team before joining Sunderland in the summer. Although he might not have played much this summer, when he has featured, he’s performed well.

“We have been chasing Nectar for some time, and although we thought he’d remain at Sunderland, circumstances changed last night, and we made a move to bring him to Hibs. He adds to the quality we’ve already brought in during this window.”

We asked what you would like to see happen at Hibs on transfer deadline day. No prizes for guessing what's top of the wish list...

Here's what some of you said:

Anon: An experienced centre-half. No more untested kids from down south and not another Bournemouth reject please!

Sandy: We definitely need a couple of big central defenders, I can’t see us hanging on to Will Fish in the summer. He’s maturing and he’ll be going back to his parent club or sold on by them next year. The rest of the team is really shaping up. What a couple of tremendous goals last time out. Keep the faith, onwards and upwards.

Martin: This is insane. We've been screaming out for two experienced centre-back for at least three years and here we are still asking. Every fan has been asking for this. What do the board and management not see?

Ross: The business has been not bad so far. Two centre halves would be ideal, but unlikely. Sad to see Doidge go, always gave 100%, just didn't get a fair crack latterly. Good luck to him going forward.

Danny: We 100% need a quality centre-back. Currently we've Fish and Bushiri starting in the middle of the back four. Both talented but both still young and a bit erratic. There's speculation about Bevan, who sounds similar. Hanlon is at the other end, very experienced but getting on. We need someone in between, with proven quality and experience, to marshal the back four.

Disco: With the Foley money incoming, we should be looking to sign a Sauzee-like figure - someone with pedigree and experience. The youngsters and attackers we are signing need a calm head and cultured foot at the back. I'm willing to write off the season and fully back Monty. He's either going to be a real success or we're going to be where we were anyway.

George: Clear as day, we need a solid centre-bacl. Hanlon has too many mistakes in his game, has for years, and his ability to bring the ball out and play is shoogly to say the least. Bushiri is a total liability. For a big lad, he's just not strong enough, positionally weak at corners/crosses, and I hold my breath when he's carrying the ball out of defence.

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• St. Mirren have won two of their last four top-flight away games against Hibernian (L2), as many as their previous 17 beforehand (W2 D6 L9).

• Hibernian are winless in their last five league matches, losing three of those games (D2) while failing to score in all three defeats.

• St. Mirren put an end to a six-match losing streak away from home in the Scottish Premiership in their last such outing with a 3-0 win against Aberdeen. The Buddies are looking to win back-to-back league matches on the road for the first time since February 2022 – when the second win was at Hibernian.

• Hibernian’s Élie Youan has attempted a league-high 62 take-ons following a carry (moving 5+ metres with the ball) in the Scottish Premiership this season, while the Frenchman has also had 20 shots following a carry in the division this term, a figure only Danny Armstrong (22) tops.

Hibs fans, what positions do you think need to be targeted before the January transfer window slams shut on Thursday, and how many incomings would you like to see?

Also, how would you rate the business done to this point?

Send us your thoughts here.

Hibs host St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, looking to end their five-match winless run in the league.

What team would you like to see start in this one? Pick your Hibs XI here.

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Hibs have announced the departure of striker Christian Doidge, who has signed for Forest Green Rovers on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee.

The 31-year-old has been a bit-part player this season, and rejoins the club from which he joined Hibs in 2019.

In total, Doidge made 148 appearances and scored 43 goals during his time at Easter Road.

“I would like to thank Chris for his efforts this season and his time at the club," Hibs manager Nick Montgomery said. "It has been a difficult season for him with a few injuries and lack of game time, but he has always been a model professional.

“The opportunity for Chris to take a long-term contract back at a club he knows incredibly well was one we all agreed would be in the best interests for both parties.

“With Adam Le Fondre and Martin Boyle coming back into the squad, alongside the arrivals of Emiliano Marcondes and Myziane Maolida, we have options and good squad depth up-front going into the second half of the season.”

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Brian McLauchlin, BBC Sport Scotland

Much of Hibs' January transfer window has been dominated by talk of whether they can bring another centre-half in to shore up what has been a ropey backline.

BBC Scotland understands that the club are still working away in the hopes of bringing a player of that profile in, with the most likely arrival being Bournemouth defender Owen Bevan.

The 21-year-old spent the first half of the season on loan at Cheltenham Town in English League One, making 14 appearances.

A Wales Under-21 international, Bevan made his Premier League debut at Anfield as he came off the bench in a 9-0 thumping.

But having captained Bournemouth's youth sides during his rise through the ranks, this young head could bring leadership as Hibs look to cement their place in the top six.

Brian McLauchlin, BBC Sport Scotland

With the news investment from Bournemouth owner Billy Foley has been given the green light by the Scottish FA, the hard work will now be under way to ensure the money is spent wisely.

Although we are yet to hear how much the total investment will be, Foley has told BBC Scotland that “a few million pounds” will be spent on improving the squad this summer.

More immediately though, Nick Montgomery and his recruitment team have to ensure the final 16 matches of this season bring not only a place in the top six but access to another summer of European qualifiers.

A quality centre-back has been the priority for a number of managers over the years, and so it remains.

Will Fish has performed well at times this season but his loan concludes at the end of this season and he may fancy a new challenge back in England next season.

Rocky Bushiri has yet to win over the majority of Hibernian fans and although he has been missed during his spell at the Africa Cup of Nations, is he really the long-term answer to Hibernians defensive woes?

Paul Hanlon has been a stalwart for the club over the last decade but is out of contract in the summer and is not the long-term solution to the problems at the back.

Foley's investment will be key for Hibernian - he will demand success and look for a return on his significant investment.

St Mirren are the visitors to Easter Road on Saturday and it’s fair to say it’s been a bit bumpy for the Paisley side after starting the season in whirlwind fashion.

But at this time of the season it is all about victories and three points for the Hibees at the weekend could just be enough to sneak back into the top half of the table before they welcome Celtic on 7 February.

Both Hibernian and Heart of Midlothian - and an English Championship club - are monitoring 25-year-old Livingston left-back James Penrice, who is in the final six months of his present deal and is available for nothing in the summer. (Sky Sports)

Read Wednesday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Jimmy Jeggo has joined Melbourne City from Hibernian.

The midfielder, 31, returns to his native Australia after a year at Hibs and spells in Belgium and Austria.

Jeggo made 45 appearances for the Easter Road club.

Hibernian said on X: "Good luck and all the best, Jimmy!"

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Chris McLaughlin, BBC Scotland

Bill Foley says Hibs are aiming to end the decades of Old Firm dominance in Scottish football with his minority investment.

It has been 39 years since a club other than Celtic or Rangers lifted the top-flight title, and while the American billionaire admits it will take years of development, he insists the Easter Road side can disrupt the status quo.

Asked what his goals were for Hibs, Foley said: "Short-term is to play in Europe, get in the Europa League, so be number three or four [in the Premiership] so we can work our way up.

"My long-term ambition is to challenge Celtic and Rangers for one of the top spots, but that is a longer term ambition. I hope I'm around to see it.

"It's going to be difficult. It's going to take years of developing the squad and opening more revenue sources so Hibs can be more competitive, even in the transfer market.

"And Hibs have got to develop homegrown players, lots of homegrown players. And if we do that and we're successful and we have the right academy behind us, anything is possible."

The Bournemouth owner has pledged to inject money into Hibs with the hope of evolving the team, adding that he will boost their transfer budget ahead of next season's campaign.

"I think they'll have a few million pounds to help them in the transfer window next summer," he explained. "Interestingly, we're making an investment in the team. We're just really helping, honestly.

"I love the idea of being affiliated with a Scottish Premiership team and I want them to be just as successful as Bournemouth and really do well. We're here to co-operate on the football side.

"It's a small investment. It should help Hibs continue to develop their stadium, aide in their training facility and give them access to some funds for the transfer window."

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Chris McLaughlin, BBC Scotland

After the Scottish FA cleared the way for his minority investment in Hibernian, Bournemouth owner Bill Foley has been speaking to BBC Scotland.

Here are the key points...

• Foley wants Hibs to become "serial contenders for Europe, as opposed to just occasionally". His short-term goal is to have the side playing in the Europa League.

• On a long-term scale, he aims to challenge Celtic and Rangers for the Scottish Premiership title, but admits it will take years. Adds it will require opening new revenue streams and developing homegrown talent.

• The club will have a "few million pounds" to use in the summer transfer window with the goal of "evolving" the team.

• Foley has always been "fascinated" with the Premiership since taking over at Bournemouth due to lack of "immigration issues" and talent development opportunities. However, he says he was told the SFA would not allow him to invest.

• He "understood" SFA concerns, but "happy" not to hold management responsibilities.

• Other clubs were scouted for potential investment. Celtic and Rangers were "unobtainable", while Aberdeen were "interesting" and Hearts were "more of a community-owned team". Hibs' location, fanbase and American ownership appealed to Foley, as well as a "kinship" with Scotland.

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Rocky Bushiri says his time away with DR Congo in the Africa Cup of Nations is helping him with his emotions, despite a lack of game time.

The Hibs defender has featured on the bench twice for The Leopards in the tournament so far, with his side most recently upsetting Egpyt to progress to the quarter-finals.

“The camp has been amazing," he told club media, external. "We have got a good young group out here and everyone is so close – we are creating new bonds together and this has been a great experience for me. We are staying in villas out here in the Ivory Coast and everyone has lived together for nearly a month now.

“We have had to do things the hard way sometimes, but we have stood up as a group and fought for our country. The emotions during the games are crazy.

“We have come from behind in a lot of games so far, in total we have drawn four games and we are in the quarter-finals.

“We have been underdogs in nearly every game, but that has not phased us. There have been some difficult tasks in there, but we have got through it and our journey is not over yet.”

“I have not really been playing but you are still part of it. It is about being there for the boys and being ready. I know my moment will come, and when it does I need to be there for the nation. There is great togetherness in the group, it is so emotional and quite hard to explain at times.

“There are no limits for this team and in football. I have worked hard and earned the right to be here. I have gained a lot of experience out here, playing and training with a lot of top-players and I have learned a lot about dealing with emotions, and dealing with big moments.”

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The Gordon Family say they are striving for "sustained success" after the SFA cleared the way for billionaire Bournemouth owner Bill Foley to become a minority investor in the club.

Following the death of chairman Ron Gordon last year, his wife Kitty and son Ian took on senior roles at Easter Road.

They say the deal - which is set to be ratified at next month's AGM - will "benefit the long-term future" of the club.

A statement from the family read: "There has been a great deal of interest and speculation around this opportunity, we wanted to deliver the news as fully and transparently as possible.

"In order to achieve this goal, we have worked through negotiations and rigorous steps towards the final outcome. We are now coming to the end of this phase, one that will benefit the long-term future of Hibernian FC.

"Through very positive conversations with the Scottish FA in regard to their rules and regulations, specifically Article 13, and following a series of meetings, we can confirm their approval of our minority investment proposal. With that approval, we have also signed agreements between Black Knight Football Club and Hibernian FC.

"Over the past 12 months we have invested in the club and made positive strides. We have improved the infrastructure at Easter Road and HTC, grown our club-controlled income, increased the first-team player budget, and driven thecClub forward commercially.

"The year ahead includes developing the space inside the Famous Five Stand, introducing safe standing, and continuing to make HTC a high-performance training centre.

"We take pride in the journey and progress of this football club; our commitment remains to meet the high expectations of Ron and our supporters and achieve sustained success on and off the pitch."

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The SFA has approved Hibs' dual interest dispensation request, clearing the way for Bournemouth owner Bill Foley to become a minority investor in the club.

The proposal is to be shared with supporters and shareholders at next month's Annual General meeting, before being ratified.

A club statement read: "Hibernian FC is delighted to confirm that the Scottish FA has approved the Club’s ‘dual interest dispensation request’ that sits under Article 13.

"This decision came after a number of meetings between the two parties, alongside the club agreeing to certain undertakings and commitments at the request of the governing body.

"The club now has an agreement in principle with Black Knight Football Club for minority investment into Hibernian FC.

"The investment proposal will now be shared and ratified at the club’s Annual General Meeting, which will occur in February. The club’s shareholders will be informed of the date of the AGM in due course."

Matty Fairnie, Longbangers podcast , external

Assessing Hibs is getting harder by the week. We are a side that go from the sublime to the ridiculous in matches. Brilliant and awful, exciting and dull.

You could say that you never know what you’re going to get from this Hibs side, but really, you get a bit of everything.

On Saturday, Hibs started with purpose, eager to put the midweek defeat to Rangers well behind them. New signing Emiliano Marcondes started the match in place of fellow new guy, Myziane Maolida, with Paul Hanlon returning to the back four at the expense of Lewis Stevenson.

It should be of huge concern to Nick Montgomery that his side could capitulate so badly in the face of adversity. Hibs had been well on top before Killie's opening goal but fell right out of the game before going further behind in the second half from another poorly defended goal.

After Joe Newell's delicious volley, the visitors sensed that the game was there for the taking and their chances were boosted when Killie’s Corrie Ndaba was sent off for a studs-up challenge that clattered Jair Tavares’ ankle after first touching the ball. It’s a challenge that would have been a yellow card a few years back, but there’s no question it’s a red card these days.

Hibs made their numerical superiority count when Maolida collected Dylan Levitt’s through ball before stroking the ball high into the home net from the edge of the area to draw level.

It seems contradictory to criticise Hibs for collapsing in a game where they also showed great fight to come back and salvage a point, but that kind of sums up Montgomery’s side at the moment.

Kanayo Megwa says Hibernian boss Nick Montgomery has told him if he plays well he will stay in the team - even when Lewis Miller returns from Asian Cup duty. (Edinburgh Evening News)

Read the rest of Tuesday's gossip.

Jonathan Sutherland, Sportscene presenter

Scoring the goals that earn your side a confidence-boosting comeback draw is a good way to earn a place in team of the week.

Joe Newell's wonder strike kickstarted the charge, with a sweet volley that showed the midfielder's technical ability.

But the point was sealed by substitute Myziane Maolida, who took the game by the scruff of the neck upon his arrival. Hibs look to have a player of real quality on their hands.

Image source, BBC Sport

Rocky Bushiri won't be flying back to the capital just yet after Democratic Republic of Congo dramatically ended Egypt's Africa Cup of Nations hopes.

The Hibs defender was an unused substitute as his side prevailed in a gripping penalty shootout, with the winning spot-kick scored by goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi.

DR Congo will now meet Guinea in the quarter-finals on Friday evening, meaning Bushiri is incredibly unlikely to feature at Easter Road on Saturday when St Mirren travel to Leith.

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