Callum Booth told to scrap for Hibs jersey

The Scotland Under-21 defender has found himself out in the cold since Gambian internationalist Pa Kujabi arrived at Easter Road, one of seven January signings by Fenlon in his bid to lift Hibs clear of the threat of relegation.

After loan spells with Arbroath and Brechin City, the 20-year-old burst into Colin Calderwood’s side for the second half of last season and began the current campaign as first-choice left back. But a loss of form and injury resulted in him being dropped although he did win his place back at the end of December.

He played a further five matches, scoring on his last appearance at the end of January as Hibs went down at home to St Johnstone, and has since had to look on as Kujabi as quickly won over the supporters.

Fenlon, however, insisted Booth remains very much in his plans saying: “Callum has a great left peg that we can utilise in different areas. He sees himself as a left back and that’s probably where I see him.

“He’s not been in as much as he maybe feels he should have been but he is a very young player and he has to fight and scrap for a place.”

Meanwhile, Hull City midfielder Gavan Holohan is the latest player to be linked with a move to Easter Road although the 20-year-old Irish star, who is out of contract in the summer, has also been on trial with Carlisle United.

And Partick Thistle manager Jackie McNamara has revealed he’s keen to keep Sean Welsh at Firhill should Hibs not offer the midfielder a new deal with the 22-year-old impressing during a loan spell with the Jags.

He said: “I think Sean has done well for us. He is a very good payer but we will have to wait and see.”