Pat Fenlon says Hibs poor record makes recruitment hard

Pat FENLON has admitted Hibs’ lowly SPL position is hampering his bid to bring fresh talent to Easter Road.

Nine SPL matches without a win has resulted in Hibs sliding to the foot of the table, a single point above basement outfit Dunfermline, who they face at East End Park on Saturday.

Easter Road boss Fenlon agrees the need to strengthen the squad he took over from Colin Calderwood is obvious and insists he is working hard to do so.

But, as yet, former Sligo Rovers striker Eoin Doyle remains his only signing of the January transfer window, with Fenlon admitting he’s anxious to add more over the course of the next three weeks.

Fenlon wants to enhance all areas of his team but again stressed his desire to ensure new arrivals will bring much-needed improvement rather than being signed simply for the sake of it.

While insisting, however, that he has “some decent quality” players in his sights, Fenlon conceded persuading them to come to Easter Road at this particular time was proving somewhat difficult.

Citing a strength of character to meet the challenge of lifting Hibs to a more respectable position as a requirement for any new recruit, Fenlon said: “There are a lot of players being thrown at us at the moment but we want players who will be an improvement to the squad.

“We don’t want to sign players for the sake of it, they have to be right for the club, right as in good players but also good, strong characters.

“It can be frustrating for the supporters, they are saying we need some players in and I would agree with them on that. But they have to be the right ones for the club.”

Asked about the calibre of player he’s seeking, Fenlon said: “We are talking about some decent quality players at the moment. Getting them in and convincing them to come to Hibs is a hard task and obviously our league position doesn’t help. But our plan is to get us up the table and the players that come in will have to be strong characters and that’s probably why it’s taking a bit longer.”

Meanwhile, Fenlon was delighted with the news that Hibs will enjoy home advantage in the fifth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup, the Easter Road side due to face either SPL rivals Kilmarnock or First Division Dundee. The two clubs drew 1-1 at Dens Park at the weekend and, while Fenlon believes Killie are possibly now favourites with a replay at Rugby Park to come, he insisted it will be a tough match whichever side triumphs.

Having seen Hibs clinch their first win in his reign with a hard-fought victory over Cowdenbeath, Fenlon said: “We are delighted to be in it, that’s the first thing.

“We wanted a home draw and it did not really matter who we go so, from that point-of-view, we are happy. But it’s going to be a difficult game no matter who comes through. We’ll now have a chance to see them play, Kilmarnock will be favourites going into it but we are happy enough at home. It could have been easier, it could have harder but we’ll take what has come our way.”