Shopping local is a big thing these days. And it doesn’t just apply to customers keen on knowing exactly which field produced the organic tatties in their bag for life.
So how much merit is there in Hibs, a club desperately in need of a rebuild, raiding their Scottish Premiership rivals for homegrown produce, key cogs and spare parts? And, regardless of their current location, does experience of the game in Scotland’s elite division automatically add value to a potential recruit?
Scouting is a global business in this age of the information overload. Get yourself a decent Wyscout package and you, too, can sift data, identify targets and watch footage of every Slovakia Under-21s game from the past two years.
With any transfers between SPFL rivals depending on either free agency, which allows for pre-contract agreements, or the payment of a premium to sweeten the deal, it’s also easy to understand why clubs direct their talent ID departments to lesser known markets. But proven performers take no time to get up to speed with the pace of the Premiership.
So, yes, maybe spending £300,000 to take Dylan Levitt from a relegated Dundee United team last summer hasn’t panned out perfectly; the Welsh midfielder isn’t a guaranteed starter these days and hasn’t delivered the all-round quality needed to drive Hibs up the table. But buying someone direct from a Scottish Premiership side - or taking the sometimes cheaper option of re-acquiring a former SPFL star now unsettled/struggling in a different league – has its definite upsides. The top scorer in the country, after all, ended up back in Edinburgh via an unsatisfying year in Belgium.
While Hearts have been locking down top-flight talent, with Yan Dhanda, Blair Spittal and James Penrice all secured for the start of next season, their city rivals appear intent on following a different path. Although that could change. Let’s take a look, then, at some of the tried-and-tested competitors – based either in country or temporarily displaced to other leagues – who would make good additions to the Hibs squad:
5. Kwon Hyeok-kyu - Midfielder
Another one tearing it up with St Mirren, the South Korean midfielder is on a short-term loan from Celtic, who paid £1 million to land him last summer. Saints boss Stephen Robinson is keen to get Kwon – who absolutely destroyed Hibs in a 3-0 thrashing at Easter Road earlier this season – back for a season-long loan. If Hibs aren’t at least interested in adding the 22-year-old’s composure and ability to their starting line-up, they must have a really impressive alternative lined up … Photo: Simon Wootton - SNS Group
6. Kyle Vassell - Striker
Another Killie player who makes things happens. Hard working, physical, inventive, takes a lot of shots and scores his share of goals. Under contract until the end of next season, so unlikely to be shifted without a load of cash. And possibly some dynamite. | SNS Group
7. Luke McCowan - Midfield
The Dundee star is under contract until 2025. But you can understand why the Dens Park club want to extend their commitment to the all-rounder beyond the end of next season. Would undoubtedly add something to most Scottish Premiership squads. If you could get him. Photo: Paul Devlin - SNS Group
8. Simon Murray – Striker
Well, why not? He’s bagged 18 goals for a fairly poor Ross County side. Has added a lot to his game since his first spell at Hibs. Older, wiser, smarter - but still the angriest striker in football. | SNS Group