Seven games into the Scottish Premiership campaign and with their Premier Sports Cup adventure cut short at the first knock-out stage, Hibs haven’t exactly leapt into a different tax bracket with the quality of their performances this season. In terms of pure results, David Gray’s men bear a striking resemblance to some of the teams put together by his predecessors. At least at the moment.
But a summer of change – revolution, really – at East Mains has dramatically transformed the talent available to Gray, whose appointment during the close season prompted a flurry of transfer market activity. With new sporting director Malky Mackay also diving straight into the gig, Hibs made 12 signings for the first-team squad.
Starting with a new No. 1 and ending with the arrival of a free agent striker after the deadline had passed, Gray and Mackay have effectively overhauled the entire squad. There were SEVEN new signings in the starting XI against Motherwell at the weekend.
Allowing for the fact that some of these guys are still a) getting to grips with the madcap pace of Scottish football and b) learning the strengths, weaknesses, foibles and quirks of their new team-mates in a different system, most have shown some sort of potential for the season ahead. And one veteran attacker really stands out. It should go without saying that a fair few must do better, if Hibs are to climb the table.
So let’s take a look at the decent dozen senior pros brought into help Hibs turn things around, applying the traditional, inexact, entirely unscientific X-out-of-10 rating system to grade their impact to date:
5. CB Jack Iredale N/A
Signed for an undisclosed fee from Bolton Wanderers just before the transfer deadline, the former Morton and Queen’s Park defender has yet to make an appearance for Hibs. Although that could change soon enough, with the former Australia Under-17s cap pushing hard for a start. | Cameron Allan Photography Ltd
6. CM Hyeokkyu Kwon 6/10
One big mistake in five games – failing to pick up Andy Halliday for the winning goal from a long throw-in on Saturday - suggests that the Celtic loanee isn't quite the finished article. Loves a pop at goal. Looks like he'll improve with more game time. | SNS Group
7. CM Nectar Triantis 5.5/10
The nature of that red card at the weekend has to knock his overall score down by a fair bit. But the on-loan Sunderland midfielder, back for a second spell at Hibs, has generally shown up well, demonstrating some excellent passing skills. | SNS Group
8. W/FB Nicky Cadden 6/10
Missed the last couple of games through injury. But the versatile wide man, who jumped at the chance to join twin brother Chris in Edinburgh when his contract at Barnsley expired, looked like a dangerous addition in two starts and two substitute appearances, providing menacing deliveries from the left wing. | SNS Group