Hibs have been linked with two attacking outlets as Neil Lennon looks to bolster his options in the striker department.
The Easter Road side already have three decent forwards at the club, so is a new talisman really necessary?
The Hibees have been below average so far this term, and registered their first win in seven attempts at the weekend, beating Hamilton 1-0.
Neil Lennon has three quality strikers at the club, with Jamie MacLaren, Florian Kamberi, and Oli Shaw all quality finishers. Their form this season, however, has not been on the same level as last term. Kamberi and Maclaren were on fire last year for Lennon’s side, with Shaw pushing them all the way for a starting berth.
The club have been linked with Dundee’s Adil Nabi, and Gillingham’s Tom Eaves. Despite the three strikers at the club not performing consistently this term, they need be given more time to reach the level of last season.
Kamberi, Maclaren and Shaw need minutes
When we say Hibs’ strikers are not performing to the same level as last season, that’s not to say they aren’t performing at all. Kamberi hasn’t been at his game for the past few fixtures, but he has still scored eight goals from 19 games, which isn’t a bad return. People sometimes forget that the Swiss striker is only 23 and he has still to reach his peak.
Maclaren has been out of form this term, scoring just once. Despite this, cameo appearances from the bench haven’t helped his cause. He had just two minutes to shine against St Mirren last week. Maclaren can’t make an impact on a game in that short period.
You only have to look to the Australian’s goal-scoring record from last season to see how prolific he can be. Eight Premiership goals in 11 starts is a frightening record, and if he was able to get firing again he could drag Hibs up the table.
As for Shaw, he is young and has to be allowed more time. He’s not the finished article, but he does have the potential to succeed at Easter Road.
A product of the Hibs academy, he scored the winner from the bench against Hamilton at the weekend. He’s started five games in the Premiership so far this term, and has four goals; a very good return.
They’re not on song just now, but Hibs have three good strikers at the club and they need the second half of the season to fulfil their undoubted potential.
If they don’t do that, then Lennon should be looking for a new striker in the summer.