Hibs transfers: David Gray quizzed on landing duo as Elie Youan situation clarified

Hibs head coach David Gray remained tight-lipped on the prospect on signing forwards Mykola Kukharevych and Junior Hoilett, but did admit that the Easter Road outfit are “working hard on various targets”.

Having already landed goalkeeper Josef Bursik and centre-halves Warren O’Hora and Marvin Ekpiteta, Gray has turned his attentions to his forward line. Dylan Vente is the club’s only recognised senior No 9 and the manager has admitted that he is keen for reinforcements in the final third of the pitch.

Kukharevych spent the 2022-23 season on loan at Hibs from French club Troyes before earning a move to Swansea last summer and the 23-year-old Ukrainian forward has been linked with a return to Easter Road, while experienced Canada internationalist Hoilett is a free agent after leaving Aberdeen earlier in the summer. Hibs have also been linked with Scotland Under-21 striker Kieron Bowie, who is currently at Fulham. Gray was non-committal about how many more new players he anticipates joining the Hibees but he is optimistic there will be further additions in the coming days, saying: “I don’t like putting an actual number on it but we are light in the forward areas so it’s something we are working hard to try and rectify. I’m sure there will naturally be movement, ins and outs, with the window being open.

“We are working hard on various targets at the moment, but we are focusing on bringing in the right people. We’re going through the full process, making sure we bring the right type in.

David Gray has spoken on speculation over two transfer targets | SNS Group

“We’re really happy with the business we’ve done so far, the type of people they are, the leaders we’ve recruited, the way they train every day. They’ve really added to the group and created that feelgood factor around the building, so we are very conscious of bringing in the right people.

“At the minute, there are a lot of conversations being had. Hopefully that can progress in days, rather than weeks, because we’re working hard to do it.”

On Kukharevych, Gray commented: “He is a Swansea player and I don’t want to talk about players at other clubs.” He was little more forthcoming on Hoilett, adding: “Junior is someone who did really well at Aberdeen last season. He was a big part in their success latterly in the season and he’s had a fantastic career. He’s picked up a wee injury while away with Canada but he’s played at a very high level and I’m sure he’ll continue to have a good career.”

Elie Youan – who is set to miss Sunday’s Premiership opener away to St Mirren through injury – has been the subject of speculation linking him with a seven-figure transfer to France this summer.

Asked for an update on Youan’s situation, Gray said: “He picked up a knock in the last minute of the Queen’s Park game. We had positive news after seeing the specialist in terms of making sure everything is alright with that.

“And right now he’s a Hibs players and he’s fully focused on getting himself back fit and being an asset for Hibs. Until that changes, my job is to try and get him back on the pitch and get him performing at the best level he can.”