Hibs chief speaks on Greg Docherty pursuit and reflects on Ross McCrorie saga

Rangers midfielder impressed during loan spell

Hibs made moves to bring Greg Docherty back to Easter Road

Hibs tried hard to bring Greg Docherty back to Easter Road during the summer but were scuppered by the player’s wish to return to England, according to the club’s sporting director.

Graeme Mathie discussed the Hull City midfielder’s brief time on loan at the Capital club during an appearance on the Longbangers podcast as well as speaking on a range of subjects including recruitment, dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, and the academy.

Docherty arrived on loan in January from former club Rangers, with then Hibs striker Florian Kamberi going in the opposite direction.

The 24-year-old scored three goals in eight appearances for Jack Ross’ side before returning to Ibrox following the culmination of the shortened 2019/20 campaign and joined Hull on a four-year deal earlier this month.

Prior to joining Hibs the former Hamilton youngster had impressed during a season on loan with Shrewsbury Town.

Mathie said: “Greg Docherty is a player who did very well for us after coming in in January. We had certainly expressed an interest in having him back at Hibs, but he was pretty clear that he saw his future in England.

"Whether I believe in my heart of hearts that we might have been a better move for him in his career is irrelevant.

"Greg felt that Hull, and England, was the best place for his career. He was very clear from the beginning; there was no ambiguity.

"While we tried to speak to him a few times to see what his thoughts were he was pretty determined that that’s where he wanted to go.”

Hibs also attempted to sign Docherty’s former Gers team-mate Ross McCrorie and for a significant chunk of August appeared to be in pole position for his signature but the versatile player ended up joining Aberdeen, initially on a season-long loan, with a permanent transfer expected to be completed next summer.

The McCrorie saga played out remarkably similarly to the Easter Road side’s pursuit of current Dons midfielder Funso Ojo, who was tipped to join Hibs from Scunthorpe United last summer.

The Belgian-born was shown around the Capital club's stadium and had positive talks with then Hibs boss Paul Heckingbottom but signed on at Pittodrie after Derek McInnes’ side reportedly made him a better offer.

Addressing Hibs’ attempts to capture both players, Mathie added: “My only comment on Hibs’ attempts to sign Ross McCrorie and Funso Ojo would be that I go into negotiations being up front and honest with people.

"All I ever expect is the same in return. If somebody wants to speak to another club or doesn’t want to come here for whatever reason, all I would expect is for them to tell me.

“If you go into negotiations being honest with people – and you build relationships with people, and speak very openly with people – and they don't show you the same courtesy back, that’s the bit that gets me.

"Whether they think they’ve made the right decision in going to another club is almost secondary to that aspect.”

You can listen to the full podcast with Graeme Mathie plus other podcasts by Longbangers on Anchor.FM