Hibs forced to rethink midfield signing target as Scott Fraser signs for MK Dons

Easter Road club widens search for a central midfielder after former Dundee United star opts to remain in England

Scott Fraser left Burton Albion to sign for MK Dons.

Hibs’ quest to sign a new central midfielder remains ongoing after former Dundee United player Scott Fraser became the latest target to take up an option elsewhere.

The 25-year-old Scot had refused a new contract at Burton Albion and the Leith club had hoped to lure him back north but, citing a desire to stay in English football, he instead signed a lucrative two-year deal with another League One side, MK Dons.

Although their bid for the former Tannadice midfielder was always viewed as audacious, given the money on offer elsewhere, manager Jack Ross and sporting director Graeme Mathie had hoped that they could woo him with their ambitions for the Easter Road outfit but they will now review their targets and look elsewhere for a player who can operate in that central berth.

Hibernian manager Jack Ross will have to look elsewhere for reinforcements after losing out on Scott Fraser. Photo: Ross Parker / SNS Group

So far this summer they have tried to sign last season’s loan player Greg Docherty and the highly-promising Ross McCrorie but lost out to Hull and Aberdeen respectively. Missing out on Fraser will heighten the frustration.

Ross’ men have started the season brightly and are sitting second in the Premiership table, albeit Celtic and Aberdeen have games in hand.

They have already bolstered the squad with Alex Gogic, Kevin Nisbet, and Drey Wright signing deals and, more recently, Jamie Murphy and Dillon Barnes agreeing loan spells, but with fixtures against Rangers and Celtic to negotiate in the coming weeks, there is still a desire for more strength in depth.