Hibs' Moroccan stars just waiting for call from Hughes

The Moroccan striker, who last played for Hibs in April of last year, was plagued by injury in the latter stages of his time at Easter Road and struggled to win a regular place in Mixu Paatelainen's line-up. He spent much of last year on loan at Charleroi before moving to fellow Belgian club Roeselare during the January transfer window.

That deal has now come to an end and new Hibs manager John Hughes said just last week that he believes Benjelloun can still have a future at Easter Road.

Speaking from his family home in Morocco, the player said that he would love to be given another chance in Scotland and is now waiting for the call to come back to Edinburgh.

He said: "I don't know what is happening right now. I know that there is a new manager at the club and I am just waiting to see what will happen. I have not heard anything from Hibs but I would like to come back to Edinburgh and play for them again.

"It is no problem for me to play for Hibs again. I enjoyed my time with them, I liked the club and the fans. I would like us to agree something that is good for Hibs and also good for me.

"I know the new manager and I like what I have seen of him. He likes his sides to play good football, to keep the ball at your feet and play a passing game and I think that will suit me.

"I did not play a lot of football towards the end of my time in Scotland because Mixu liked to play a different style of game than we had played under John Collins or Mogga.

"From what I know, John Hughes likes to play their kind of football and I know this from playing games against Falkirk and from watching them play on television.

"I know they got to the semi-finals of the League Cup and to the final of the Scottish Cup this season. Every time you play against Falkirk you can see the confidence that the players have got and that they are organised and comfortable and that is something that John Hughes brought to them."

Benjelloun hopes that he will be able to team up once again with Zemmama if he returns to Hibs, the little midfielder having been allowed to go out on loan last year after red tape prevented his teenage wife from moving to Scotland to live with him permanently.

Benji added: "Merouane is very good, I have seen him in Morocco and I spoke with him on the telephone the other day. He also wants to come back to Hibs. He likes John Hughes and his style very much and hopes that he can play a part in his side too.

"He always liked the way that Falkirk played and how they always tried to play good football. He had to leave because of problems with his wife not being allowed to live in Scotland but hopefully the club will be able to sort something out.

"Neither of us will forget the club or the fans and I hope that it is not too long before we are back there."