Lee Johnson to miss Hibs game against Kilmarnock after undergoing emergency surgery

Lee Johnson will miss Hibs’ Scottish Premiership clash with Kilmarnock at Easter Road on Saturday after undergoing emergency surgery.

The 41-year-old took ill in the days leading up to the league meeting and underwent an operation to remove his gallbladder, and is recovering well at home.

Assistant managers Jamie McAllister and Adam Owen will lead the team against the Rugby Park side, with Johnson frustrated to miss a match for the first time in his management career.

Speaking to the Hibs website he said: “I’d like to thank all the staff in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, especially the Hibs fans that looked after me along the way.

“I’m hoping to make a swift recovery and be back in the dugout as quickly as possible.

“Having never missed a game previously in management, obviously I’m frustrated at not being able to be physically attending Easter Road on Saturday.

“However, I am 100 per cent with every player, staff member, and supporter in spirit to fight for a very important three points. GGTTH.”

The Capital club endured a frantic end to transfer deadline day, squeezing in three new signings before the window closed.

Lee Johnson will miss the visit of Kilmarnock

Forward Harry McKirdy arrived from Swindon Town for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the six-figure region, while Manchester United defender Will Fish penned a season-long loan deal.

They were joined by Ukrainian Under-21 striker Mykola Kukharevych, who also joined on loan until the end of the 2022/23 campaign from French Ligue 1 side Troyes.

Hibs’ triple capture on the final day of the window takes their total number of new signings for the summer to 16.