Hibs starlet Scott Martin to extend loan with Forfar

Highly-rated Hibs kid Scott Martin is set to extend his loan deal with Forfar Athletic until the end of the season.

Hibs midfielder Scott Martin. Picture: John Devlin

The 18-year-old moved to Station Park in October having played four first-team games for Hibs and has featured in ten matches for the League One club, earning himself a string of favourable reviews.

The initial agreement would have seen the midfielder return to Edinburgh this month but new Forfar boss Gary Bollan was keen to keep him.

Hibs head coach Alan Stubbs is willing to let him continue gaining first-team experience given the youngster would struggle to command a first-team place at present in the face of competition from the likes of John McGinn, Liam Henderson, Dylan McGeouch, Fraser Fyvie and Marvin Bartley.

Stubbs said: “Given what we have at our disposal it will be the right thing for him. I didn’t want him going from first-team football back to playing development football. He’ll get greater benefit from playing on a Saturday in the professional game.”

Martin signed for Forfar when Dick Campbell was manager. The one time Partick Thistle boss was sacked and replaced by former Livingston and Airdrie boss Bollan last month.

Stubbs reckons that experiencing a change in manager will form part of the youngster’s football education. He said: “It adds to that learning curve, different styles of management, different ideas, different ways of playing.

“Gary has been very active in trying to get Scott to commit to the rest of the season. He’s been on the phone very keen to pursue that and we’ve agreed to do so.”

Striker Jamie Insall is also likely to have his loan spell at League Two East Fife extended until the end of the season should Methil boss Gary Naysmith ask.