Hibs talent seals loan transfer exit as Malky Mackay provides verdict on Easter Road decision

Hibs sporting director Malky Mackay has provided the transfer reasoning behind a transfer decision made by the club ahead of the deadline.

The Premiership side have moved to sign Alasana Manneh from Odense ahead of facing Aberdeen this weekend. Tinkering of players at Easter Road is still ongoing and the latest departure from the club is goalkeeper Murray Johnson, who heads on loan to League One side Queen of the South.

20-year-old Johnson spent the first half of the season at Championship side Airdrie, where he featured 13 times across all competitions for the Diamonds. It’s been a tough season for Rhys McCabe’s men who after featuring in the promotion play-offs last term, are rooted to the bottom of the second tier and in need of a great escape to survive.

Peter Murphy’s side are pushing for promotion back into the Championship and it is a side that Johnson briefly spent time with in 2023. With Jordan Smith, Josef Bursik and Max Boruc for competition at Hibs, senior minutes were unlikely for the keeper in the second half of the season and now has headed to Dumfries to find them.

Mackay believes it’s the best place for Johnson to be. Already, Nohan Kenneh has been loaned out to Ross County while Josh O’Connor and Jake Doyle-Hayes have left Hibs on a permanent basis. Mackay said: “We’ve decided to move Murray to Queen of the South as we believe that’s the best environment to help him progress.

“We monitor our young players very closely, and playing time is a key element of these kind of development loans. This is an opportunity for Murray to continue playing regular men’s football, and we wish him and Queen of the South the best of luck.”

A club statement reads: “Murray Johnson has joined Queen of the South on loan for the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign. The 20-year-old spent the first half of the season at Scottish Championship side Airdrieonians, where he featured 13 times (all comps).

“This will be Murray’s fourth loan spell away from Hibs, he has spent time at Airdrieonians on two separate occasions, whilst also featuring briefly for Queen of the South in July 2023. The Hibernian Academy graduate will now join up with Queen of the South for the rest of the season. The Doonhamer’s currently sit third in the League One and are chasing a promotion spot.”