Once cited as ‘The Scottish Messi’, if rumours are to be believed then Ryan Gauld could be returning to his homeland to play his football. According to the Scottish Sun, Neil Lennon is interested in bringing the playmaker to Hibernian.
After all, the problems if you’re a Hibee are as clear as day. It’s not that strikers are misfiring, it’s that they haven’t been given sufficient service. Enter Gauld.
Last season, three of the top four players in the Premiership to have delivered successful through balls played for Hibernian. Their trio of John McGinn, Scott Allan and Dylan McGeouch made up 75% of that statistic, with the other being James Tavernier of Rangers.
So with this trio having not really been replaced, Gauld could be the first piece of the jigsaw that Hibs need to mount a European challenge in the Premiership.
Three loan spells have followed 23 year-old Gauld’s £3 million move from Dundee United to Sporting CP. The Aberdeen-born youngster even helped CD Aves to their first Portuguese Cup title in their history.
His career is by no means over, as the midfielder is still a promising young talent. His contract in Lisbon still contains the same €60 million release clause.
This could be just the kickstart that the playmaker needs to get his career back on track, swapping the Portuguese capital for the Scottish one.