Hibs boss Pat Fenlon has other options should key men leave club

By ANTHONY BROWN
Published on 22/11/2012 12:28

HIBS manager Pat Fenlon revealed he has contingency plans in place in the event that any of his three loan stars are unable to extend their stints at Easter Road beyond January.

Key men Jorge Claros, Ryan McGivern and Leigh Griffiths are all scheduled to return to their parent clubs at the turn of the year, leaving Fenlon with some potentially big voids to fill as he bids to keep his side 
buoyant in the SPL.

The manager reiterated a desire to keep all three players in yesterday’s Evening News and revealed that efforts are already under way to keep them, but he knows much will depend on whether Motagua (Claros), Manchester City (McGivern), and Wolves (Griffiths) are willing to play ball.

Fenlon, however, is not worried about the prospect of the wheels coming off Hibs’ fine season so far and insists he has left no stone unturned in terms of scouting possible replacements in the event that any of the trio don’t remain at Easter Road.

“I’m not concerned about January,” Fenlon told the Evening News today. “If we can’t keep them then we’ll have to look at other options. You’re always looking to strengthen the squad so we’re always actively looking at other options. That’s not something we leave till the last minute.”

While he has been casting his eye over players he believes can enhance Hibs’ hopes of maintaining their superb start, Fenlon admits he doesn’t know how much scope he will have to bring in any new faces in the next transfer window. “I really don’t know if we’ll have any arrivals in January,” he said. “Much will depend on where we are financially and what happens with the on-loan boys.”