Hibs boss not worried over bids for stars

HIBS boss John Hughes today insisted he's not in the slightest worried at the prospect of big-money bids for any of his Easter Road stars this summer.

World Cup-bound Sol Bamba along with strikers Derek Riordan and Colin Nish have all been said to be attracting interest from elsewhere in recent days as the Edinburgh club finally secured fourth place in the SPL table and European football next season.

All three players are about to enter the final year of their respective contracts, leaving Hibs to judge whether to cash in any offers made – and as yet there have been none – or try to negotiate new deals with their stars rather than see them potentially walk away for nothing next summer.

According to reports, Ivory Coast defender Sol Bamba would appear to be in greatest demand with Europa League finalists Fulham among a string of English sides linked with the 25-year-old, whose performances in a green-and-white shirt have also been noted in France.

Bamba's hometown club, Paris St Germain where he began his career, are keen to lure him back while Rennes, said to be prepared to bid 2 million, were reported to have a representative at Tannadice on Sunday as the ex-Dunfermline player returned from a three-match ban to play Hibs' final game of the season.

Riordan, scorer of 17 goals, and Nish, who took his tally for the season to 12 with a double against Dundee United, have been linked with English Championship outfit Barnsley.

Aberdeen, who failed in an attempt to sign Nish during the January transfer window, may resurrect their interest with on-loan striker Steven MacLean returning to Plymouth Argyle, while German Bundesliga side Nuremberg are said to be on the trail of Riordan.

Hughes, however, insisted he isn't losing any sleep over the rumours surrounding his stars. He said: "It's business, if someone was to come in with big money for Scott Brown then Celtic would have to look at it and similarly if the same thing was to happen with Kevin Thomson, Rangers would have to sit down and think about it."

Pointing out how Steven Fletcher and Rob Jones departed before the start of the season just completed, Hughes said: "They were two big players for us but it was a good bit of business."

Hughes would have his say should any offers transpire and would seek funds to invest in the reshaping of his side but, again, he insisted that's a prospect that doesn't worry him. He said: "You wheel and deal in football. That's why you do your research, get down south and watch games, that's how you can pull a rabbit out of the hat."