Jorge Claros happy to extend stay at Hibs

The midfield star was a surprise signing by Hibs boss Pat Fenlon after failing to win a contract with Rangers, one of four transfer deadline day arrivals in January as the Irishman desperately sought to revamp his squad in a bid, ultimately successful, to fend off the threat of relegation.

The 26-year-old’s parent club Motagua in his homeland agreed a one-year loan deal and, while Claros managed only to produce fleeting glimpses of his potential in the second half of last season, Fenlon now believes Hibs fans are seeing him beginning to show his true form as he plays his part in the club’s promising start to the season.

And now, as the clock begins to tick on his Hibs contract, Claros insisted he’s so content with life at Easter Road and in Edinburgh he’d be more than willing to stay longer. While it is understood no moves have yet been made by either party – the situation made more complex due to the fact he remains under contract to Motagua – Claros revealed he’ll shortly be raising the question of his future with his agent.

He told the Evening News: “I will probably speak to my representative next month to discuss what happens next. Nothing has been said at the moment, but if Hibs want to offer me a contract I would have no problem staying here; I would like to stay  with Hibs.

“It is important as a player to feel wanted, to be happy. When you feel that way you play  better.”

While insisting he believes there is more to come, Claros has put the revival in his play down to the simple fact that he has been joined in Edinburgh by his wife Elsa and their son Johann who he didn’t see until three months after his birth.

He admitted: “It was difficult for me being 5000 miles away from Elsa when she was expecting Johann and then missing his birth. Having my wife and son with me in Edinburgh now is fantastic. They are the number one priority in my life.

“But everyone at Hibs has been fantastic to me: the manager, my fellow players, the fans.

“I’m enjoying my football, the team is doing well and I’d be more than happy if I was offered a new contract here.”

Claros’s recent displays have been such that he has earned a recall to the Honduran national side, part of the squad for their recent World Cup double-header against Cuba, the victories gained in those back-to-back matches putting his country on track to qualify for the finals in Brazil if they can win their final two matches against Panama and Canada next month.