Excelling overseas, learning in the lower leagues or simply marking time until they can find a more permanent home for their talents, the posse of 18 – that’s EIGHTEEN – Hibs players out on loan are all experiencing different aspects of life as a temp on a short-term lease. But, to one degree or another, they’re all still part of a wider squad.
Whether any of them will feature in the summer rebuild so desperately needed out at East Mains is, of course, another question. The youngsters currently learning about the need to man up in the senior game, at whatever level, will harbour hopes of making next through their breakthrough season. The former first-teamers sent into exile know that only a change of manager would give them a chance to write another chapter in their personal Hibs story.
With Nick Montgomery’s men not in action this weekend, and the general mood among fans still soured by failure to make the Scottish Premiership top six, it’s worth running a quick assessment of the Hibernian FC footballers currently pulling on a variety of different colours on match day. In a close season likely to be marked by a huge personnel churn, will ANY of them be part of first team plans when season 2024-25 kicks off?
5. Nohan Kenneh – Midfielder. Stay/go status: Unlikely to feature
With Hibs looking to upgrade in virtually every position this summer, it’s hard to see the former Leeds prospect bouncing into the first team in the final year of his contract. Getting a lot of game team at League One side Shrewsbury, for what it’s worth. Photo: David Rogers
6. Allan Delferriere – Defensive Midfielder. Stay/go status: Pastures new beckon
MFK Vyskov have an option to buy Delferriere, who has a year left on his Hibs contract. Just turned 22, he’s never really broken through at Easter Road. | SNS Group
7. Josh O’Connor – Striker. Stay/go status: Deserves a shot
The centre forward is already a Challenge Cup winner with Airdrie. And he’s likely to play a key role in the promotion play-offs. But his sights are obviously set on breaking into the Hibs team – and has received encouragement from manager Montgomery. | SNS Group
8. Kanayo Megwa – Right Back. Stay/go status: Might need another loan
Clearly a talented fullback, Megwa faces a bit of a roadblock ahead of him in the first team, with Chris Cadden and Lewis Miller competing for a starting place. But is impressing at Airdrie. So you never know … Photo: Ewan Bootman - SNS Group