Hibs vice-captain sure he'll gel with summer recruits

Hibs have augmented their threadbare squad with just one signing - Ivan Sproule - since the recent mass exodus of first-team players from Easter Road, but vice-captain Paul Hanlon is unconcerned about the team's options in defence.

Hanlon played in defence alongside the likes of Chris Hogg, Sol Bamba, Steven Thicot, Francis Dickoh and David Stephens at various stages of last season, but the first three have all departed while Dickoh's future is yet to be confirmed. Young defensive duo Ewan Moyes and Kevin McCann have also left the club, while full-back Richie Towell has returned to Celtic.

Despite the ongoing changes to the squad, however, Hanlon, 21, remains unflustered about who will line up alongside him in the Hibs backline next term. "I'm more than happy to play with anyone," said Hanlon, who began his senior career in the Capital as a left-back and is now deployed at centre-half. "I played with Francis last season and we did well in a few games together. The same with big David Stephens who played a few games last season."

If new defenders do arrive - and Hibs boss Colin Calderwood, a former centre-back, will recognise the need for reinforcements at the rear - what type of attributes in a central partner would appeal to Hanlon?

"All the ones a centre-half should have: good in the air, someone who will talk you through the game," he said. "We've got to be like a partnership at the back - I've got to talk to him, they've got to talk to me so we work together. Francis and David are good at that, and I'm sure anyone who comes in will be the same."

Capital rivals Hearts have moved quickest to improve their squad with three new faces, while the majority of other SPL clubs have done some business in the past fortnight. Hanlon is quietly confident that Hibs will act effectively to bring in the type of players befitting of the green and white jersey.

"Every team's the same - they want to improve on their last league position," said Hanlon. "Everyone's looking to improve and a few teams have done that. I'm sure the manager and the board are doing exactly the same for us. Obviously the board are supporting the manager as much as they can.

"As players, we've got to work hard when we get back to pre-season and get the club back to where it should be." Armed with the right signings, Hibs can push on to a top-six finish next season, says Hanlon. The Scotland under-21 international has other ambitions, too.

He lists the targets he has set himself: "To build on last season. I got in the team and was playing week in, week out last season. If I can do that again this year, and improve my performances every week, I'll be happy. The results weren't good, but I was happy enough with my own form. (Calderwood] has been good since he came in and gave me a run in the team, so I'm grateful for that.

"We've got to finish higher up the league - first and foremost we've got to finish in the top six."