Hanlon: Hibs will be cute with deals

While rival SPL clubs have been busy hiring new talent, the prospect of new arrivals at Easter Road appears to be dimmed by a lack of speculation surrounding Hibs.

That only reflects the nature of the club and its manager Colin Calderwood, insists centre half Hanlon, who hopes to see more quality on the pitch next season.

"Hibs in the past have been quite good at keeping stuff low-key before it's announced," said the 21-year-old. "Obviously, the gaffer in January brought in some players that helped us get out of trouble. After the split it was disappointing again. But, the players he brought in definitely helped us so hopefully he can do that again this summer."

Calderwood has dealt shrewdly in the transfer market so far, using his knowledge of English football to obtain players in January such as Victor Palsson from Liverpool, Akpo Sodje from Charlton and Nottingham Forest's midfielder Matt Thornhill. Winger Ivan Sproule re-joined the club in recent weeks and remains the only post-season addition.

Hanlon has confidence that Calderwood and the club's board have the contacts to augment the Hibs squad with personnel of that ilk. Having only recently returned from a beach holiday in Egypt, the defender admits he is eager for pre-season training to begin so he can start work alongside some new team-mates.

"Obviously it was a bit uncertain who was staying and who was going, so it'll be a case of turning up on the first day and seeing who's here."