How could Hibs boss Jack Ross utilise new signing Stephane Omeonga?

Stephane Omeonga gives Hibs boss Jack Ross options. Picture: SNS

Who would have thought helioseismology was going to be involved in the speculation linking Stephane Omeonga with a return to Hibs?

Well, one crafty fan of the Easter Road club combined fine detective work regarding Ryanair flights with some knowledge of the rising sun to surmise the Belgian midfielder was heading back to Leith.

It was widely thought he was due to return to Italy for a loan spell in Serie B. But on Friday night the Hibs media team gave the support a signing to get excited about when it was announced on social media.

The Belgian was a welcome face back at HTC. Picture: SNS

Stevie Mallan's two-month layoff due to knee surgery, coupled with the need for a defensive midfield reinforcement made the middle of the pitch a priority.

So, how could Jack Ross use Omeonga?

4-2-3-1

It is Ross' preferred system and the Belgian could be played alongside Melker Hallberg in the middle of the park. Using the draw with Dundee United in the Scottish Cup fourth round as a template, Omeonga would be brought in to replace Steven Whittaker.

It would allow Martin Boyle to be played wide right where he is such a threat making diagonal runs in behind defences and into the box, while Florian Kamberi shifts wide left, as he did under Paul Heckingbottom last campaign.

Omeonga's presence would give Hallberg support in the middle, using his energy and tenacity to get back in beside his Swedish team-mate. The duo are combative and would be a useful partnership in helping the team press higher up the pitch.

However, such a move would involve defence pushing up to close the space between the lines.

4-3-3

There was a moment in the 2-1 win at Tynecastle over Hearts last season where Heckingbottom moved Omeonga further forward. It proved a good decision with the midfielder having more of an influence.

There is an argument that playing Omeonga at the base of the midfield limits his destructive impact further up the pitch, with and without the ball.

The 4-2-3-1 could be altered to bring Scott Allan a little bit deeper to make the midfield more compact, It would allow Omeonga more freedom to make those direct, powerful runs, as well as pushing the two wide attacking positions closer to the central striker.

There may even be games where Scott Allan may not have the same impact in a game, meaning Vykintas Sliva comes in alongside Hallberg and Omeonga.

4-4-2 diamond

Before the cup clash with Dundee United it was easy to see where Omeonga would fit into the Hibs team. Either of the lateral roles in the midfield seemed to suit him perfectly.

With Allan at the tip and Hallberg at the base of midfield, flanked by Omeonga and Boyle Hibs would have a combative, energetic, creative midfield.

It is a position which Stevie Mallan isn't overly suited to. However, the new signing's qualities are perfect for such a role. He can carry the ball, move wide to give an option or tuck in to allow Boyle a freedom to play more as a winger or give the attack more support.

With Omeonga available it will be interesting to see if Jack Ross reverts back to the diamond.

4-4-2

Systems such as an orthodox 4-4-2 are difficult to play at times without getting outnumbered in the centre of the pitch.

Players such as Omeonga, with his technical and physical qualities, are a gift to managers.

The midfielder has the capabilities to play as a left midfielder which would allow for a similar situation to above. Boyle could play as an out-and-out attacking winger with his team-mate offsetting that by playing a narrow role so as not to leave the centre of midfield exposed.