Hibs praised for 'plucking diamonds' as Daniel Mackay deal so close to completion

Hibs are following the right strategy by “plucking diamonds” from the lower leagues in Scotland and investing in youth, according to former player Michael Weir.

Daniel Mackay is expected to join Hibs from Inverness.

The Easter Road outfit are on the brink of completing a six-figure deal for Inverness’ 20-year-old winger Daniel Mackay and the club expect to make a formal announcement later today.

Mackay is one the brightest prospects in the Championship and Hibs had to fend off the attentions of several other Premiership clubs to land him. The Glasgow-born wide-man has agreed a long-term contract with the club and has spent time at its East Mains training base finalising his move.

Weir is delighted to see Hibs bring in another winger – a position he played for the Capital outfit for two spells between 1984 and 1996 – and believes it could take some of their weight of Martin Boyle’s shoulders.

“I always think you need to have good wide players at your club,” Weir said. “There’s not many teams outside the best that have full-backs who can do both sides of it. The tradition at Hibs is that they’ve always had wide players.

"I think we need more strength in that area. I think we rely too much on Martin Boyle. We’re too loaded in midfield and we need some more imagination out wide. I’d be delighted to see him at the club.

"The most important thing is to spot talent young, and their potential. We need that at Hibs. There seems to be a change in football where there have been players that have come from the lower divisions and done well. If you look at Hibs, they’ve brought in Nisbet from Dunfermline and he’s flourished. There is talent in the Championship and it’s just a matter of plucking a wee diamond.

"It’s imperative that a club like Hibs spends money. For far too long, the club dealt only with free agents. You can’t keep relying on short-term contracts and Hibs should always be building a team for the long term. It’s encouraging that they are investing, especially in a Covid world. It’s such a good sign for the club.”