Hibs have been dealt another injury blow at the back and Efe Ambrose could be the solution to the problem.
They’ve confirmed that central-defender Darren McGregor will miss ‘several’ weeks with injury. It leaves Adam Jackson and Paul Hanlon as the club’s only fully fit defenders, with Ryan Porteous still making his way back to match fitness following a long-term injury.
McGregor is out with injury. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Paul Heckingbottom needs a defender and Ambrose could be a good solution.
A short-term Hibs deal could work for Ambrose
The Nigerian has been without a club since his release from Derby County. He joined the Rams following a spell at Easter Road, where he made a great impression on the Leith faithful.
He made himself a cult hero, featuring 86 times overall. In those performances, the 30-year-old was solid, combining with Ryan Porteous towards the end of 2018 especially to make a formidable partnership. They conceded just one goal in four games together during a decent run leading up to Christmas.
Porteous and Ambrose were brilliant together at Hibs. (Photo by Callum Landells/Getty Images)
Now he is available on a free and the Nigerian is the best Heckingbottom is going to get at this stage. He has already proven how good he can be at Hibs and would be a better option than say a loan signing from the lower reaches of English football.
Ambrose himself will likely want to keep his options open with regards to a move away. He recently told Goal.com that he had to leave Hibs to ‘challenge himself.’ It’s highly unlikely that he’ll want to pen a long term deal in Leith on that basis.
A short-term deal could work though. Ambrose would have somewhere to play for a few months, an opportunity to show why he deserves another big move. Hibs on the other hand benefit from having a reliable replacement for McGregor.
A move makes sense. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
Finances will come into play as well, but from a football perspective, this deal makes sense. It might be a long shot, but Heckingbottom should enquire about whether Ambrose wants to reunite with the Hibees.