Gavin Rae a target for Hibs but Jim Goodwin rejects switch
James McPake is confident Hibs will turn things around
HIBERNIAN manager Pat Fenlon has confirmed his interest in signing Dundee midfielder Gavin Rae, whose fine form in the First Division has also attracted the attention of Aberdeen.
Hibs have signed defender James McPake and midfielder Tom Soares this week, both on loan, but Fenlon still plans to make several more signings as he bids to fight clear of the relegation zone. Two players who will not be joining the Edinburgh club, however, are Jim Goodwin, who agreed a new contract with St Mirren yesterday, and Arsenal striker Rhys Murphy, who has returned to London after playing as a trialist for Hibs on Monday.
“I watched Gavin play in Dundee’s Scottish Cup replay [against Kilmarnock] and he did quite well,” Fenlon said of Rae. “There are players we are still talking to, and he is one who fits the bill in relation to experience and his know-how and his knowledge of the league.”
Rae, who has been one of Dundee’s best players in recent weeks as they try to step up their promotion challenge, extended his current deal with the club earlier this month. However, the 34-year-old is understood to have a gentlemen’s agreement allowing him to leave Dens Park if he receives an offer from elsewhere.
Since becoming Hibs manager, Fenlon has signed striker Eoin Doyle from Sligo Rovers and full-back George Francomb on loan from Norwich. But his priorities have been central defence and midfield, and Rae would complement McPake and Soares.
Goodwin would also have been a suitable acquisition, but St Mirren were able to persuade their 30-year-old captain to stay on. “We spoke to St Mirren about Jim, but he has decided to stay where he is,” Fenlon conceded. “He’s their player, so there’s nothing we can do about that.”
Fenlon added that Murphy had been allowed to go back to Arsenal after picking up an injury. “Rhys has got a bit of a shoulder injury, so he has headed back down the road. We haven’t got time to be trying to get players fit in the situation we are in.”
The Hibs squad is clearly in need of a substantial overhaul, and, having signed a two-and-a-half-year contract when he succeeded Colin Calderwood two months ago, Fenlon is well aware that he has embarked on a long-term rebuilding programme. His short-term priority, however, has to be survival in the SPL this season, and to that end he is willing to make several more loan signings in addition to those he has already acquired.
“We’re still trying at the moment,” he said. “It took us a few weeks to get the boys in that we have done and we’re still working hard to get in more.”
Francomb is young and inexperienced, but McPake and Soares are hardened campaigners who can be expected to form the spine of the team, starting tomorrow, when Hibs visit Ibrox. “Experience is the big thing with the boys we have brought in,” the manager continued, referring to Soares and McPake.
“They are both very good players, who have lots of good experience and knowledge of the game.
“With the current group of players we have there are a lot of young boys in there. And that’s why we pinpointed that type of player: they’ll bring some character and experience into the club as well as being decent players.”
With Doyle being the only permanent signing he has made so far, Fenlon will almost be back to square one when his loan acquisitions leave in the summer, but he has accepted that at this stage of the season there is little alternative to getting players in for a few months. “I think at this stage it’s difficult to get players in outside of getting them in on loan.
“Everybody is in the same position and there’s not too many coming in on permanent deals. Right now it’s about getting us to the end of the season and staying in the league, and that’s what we are trying to do at the moment.
“Both of them [McPake and Soares] have trained and both look fairly fit. They’ve both played a fair bit over the last while. Tom’s played a few reserve games and James played in the Championship the week before last, so they should both be okay.”
With Leigh Griffiths and Garry O’Connor both suspended, Doyle will be the only recognised senior striker in the Hibs squad tomorrow. “We probably would have played Leigh and Doyle if they had been available, to be honest, but we only have Doyle at the moment,” Fenlon added. “Ross Caldwell will come into the squad.
“That’s all we have, so we’ll just have to plan around that. There’s not a lot we can do. We have just got to make sure we have enough on the park to go and win the game.”
Email to a friend
Print this page- Family mourn death of Glasgow ‘fight’ schoolboy
- Rangers takeover: Duff & Phelps threaten legal action against BBC
- Today’s youth not fit to be employed, says car firm Arnold Clark
- Rangers administration: Fans fear Duff & Phelps claims could scare off Green
- Rangers takeover: triple penalty punishment enough, says Johnston
- Alistair Darling leads ‘No to independence’ fight over tea and biscuits
- Scottish independence: SNP flip-flops over Nato
- Scottish independence: Alex Salmond’s pledge to sign up 1m voters
- Scottish Independence: SNP ‘won’t be Yes campaign’s only voice’
- Today’s youth not fit to be employed, says car firm Arnold Clark
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Edinburgh
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North east
Comments
There are 59 comments to this article
Page 1 of 4
I BELIEVE
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 08:07 AMEmbarassing is only wining 20 of the 109 DERBIES since the 70's..............embarrasing is going 22,17 & 9 games without a win in a derby.......embarassing is trying to borrow a team to save your team from relegation........embarassing is losing 50% of your season tickets in one year......embarrassing is playing in front of a less than half full staduim.....embarrassing is your on loan self confessed striker gettting banned for rude gestures to his own loyal fans.........embarrassing is not winning the Scottish Cup since 1902........embarrassing is a pro club having cake friday..............embarassing is hoping your tormentors dissapear therein losing your chance of revenge on the park.......in summary u have enough embaressment on your door stop without worrying about your perennial tormentors
Hannon
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 07:55 AMI also forgot to mention Hanlon who has been a regular in the team for a few years after coming through the ranks he secured a regular place at a very young age. I am sure we will see those mentioned before long but priority right now is SPL survival by whatever and with whoever it takes whether that be loanees or youth.
Hannon
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 12:51 AM#39 He has continued with Wotherspoon,Booth who are products of the academy. He has given game time to Caldwell. Welsh has only recently returned from injury. Taggart and Smith have been out on loan Handling has played for the first team. He has recognised others including Stanton and that is why they are in the first team pool as can be referenced at the Hibs website. Think you are being selective again with your criteria given some of the names you quoted in #23. Some of them have had little if any game time at Tynie. It's the usual case of you showing little knowledge of what's happening at Hibs but feeling qualified for some reason to come on here spouting. You are sadly wrong again but keep trying making your ridiculous comparisons someone might agree with you. In case you are still too thick to follow, the website gives the first team pool of players for the season and that is why I directed you there dimwit.
Hen Broon
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 09:32 PMWee typo there for U to get in aboot tiger....no holding back.....your number 2 to Wee Yak but a trusty assistant all the same...........what a pair of sweety wifes!
Hen Broon
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 09:30 PM#53 Inspctor Donald....old enough to reel U in & oot and shake you all aboot as & when I feel like it.......stop greetin like a big lassie it's only a bit of fun.
Duncan D' Orderly
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 07:40 PM#53,donald marr five and seven.
donald marr
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 07:32 PMToTT and Hammy,just out of interest ,what ages are you?
Duncan D' Orderly
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 07:08 PM51, Y F, sometimes sizes is important, for instance, a wee f a n n y like yourself, or a big canoe, where your choice is a finger or an oar. Do you look for the g-spot or paddle like the wee man you are? Sail on.
The Yak Farmer
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 06:47 PM49 - Why are you obsessed with size. I'm " wee man" ... Pat Fenlon is " Wee Pat" it's a wee shame you have this issue. Does your obsession stem from some sort of painful rejection in your teenage years while courting on the Braids ? To assist in your " man-to-man" fantasies I'm 6ft 2 and about 18 stone... The missus can just about her her arms round. It's a struggle but we enjoy tackling it together. Ask Hammy1874 if you like - he's apparently watched her on a " webcam" ( whatever that may be) Toodlepips... off to pour a scotch .. Got a 21 yr old Mortlach from Duncan Taylor ready to savour...
The Yak Farmer
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 06:42 PM#48 .. Do you mean "fait accompli?" because if you don't I'm not sure what language you're attempting to converse in. Glad to assist those in need at this difficult time. There there. xx
Hen Broon
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 06:12 PMWhen put in his place he cites 'Je ne comprends pas'......he is oblivious to the meaning of 'devoid',,,,,,,,he does not understand what 'the lowest common denominator' is ( despite him being one & the same)......you are top BANNANA Yak.......keep it up wee man......another JAMBO in your wake !
jambo2006
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 06:01 PMOh dear the kak harmer doth protest to much "fait compli" xx
Hammy1874
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 05:58 PMCave not shed.... where is my anti Irish post?? you seem to see sectarianism and bigotry where it does not exist.... strange, as every now and then you are one of the posters I can enjoy a bit of a joust with..... about football. Others, (and I think we know who,) offer not one shred of substance in a football capacity whatsoever. No surprise really, as you have to actually go to the games to have an informed opinion.
The Yak Farmer
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 05:54 PM45 - Who did I complain about ? Who did I have removed ? PMSL ... No one. There are no emails to Johnson press ... there are no complaints. It's all in yer heid,... fantasy. Weirdo. Oddball. Psycho. Hod carrier for lego. Diddy. 44 - Sorry I can't read that,. It's not a language I understand. It's flawed. If that was me I would be ashamed to post it. Go away from Hibs threads. Go away from your computer. You have nothing of value to say. Get that ?
jambo2006
Friday, January 27, 2012 at 04:53 PMSoz kak reduced to correcting spelling missstakessssss ah well never mind i'm sure johnston pubs will read your objections clearly and deal with them in the same manner as the SPL did with HMFC xx
Page 1 of 4
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.