Hibs are poised to have a summer clearout in 2025 with a number of players out of contract.
The way things are going on the pitch this season means few eyebrows will be raised when and if a number of the underperforming squad are shipped out.
The Hibees have had a lot of turnover of players in recent years and do want to find stability but that is only likely to come after the next two windows when they are able to shift on some of the deadwood.
There are 17 Hibs players out of contract at the end of the season and a large chunk of them are likely to leave. Some could even go in January.
Michael Stewart assesses Hibs squad
Hibees sporting director Malky Mackay has already indicated there will be a clearout next summer and that could even begin in January given the results.
Those coming to the end of deals include first-team fixtures Martin Boyle, Lewis Miller, Junior Hoilett and Chris Cadden as well as fringe men like Luke Amos and Rocky Bushiri.
There are also youngsters on the list such as Josh O’Connor and Murray Aiken.
Former Hibs midfielder Michael Stewart has had a go at deciding which players he would keep on.
There aren’t many and there even some under contract who he would be looking to ship out.
He told BBC Sportsound: “Not many, if any. Folk like Chris Cadden, I’d be having him in my squad. Centre-backs no, the goalkeeper no, Obita, possibly. Midfielders, Joe Newell possibly not. Kwon is on loan, no.
“Triantis is on loan, possibly in the right system or set-up. Bowie is a big loss up the top end as he looked good. Martin Boyle is coming towards the end of his career and his time at Hibs. You are only talking about a handful.”
Leean Crichton pitched in and brought up some players moved on previously who perhaps shouldn’t have been.
She said: “I know you mentioned Gogic earlier Michael, one of the players previously at Hibs, see when you look at the likes of Paul McGinn, shown the exit door at Hibs. You just think…”
Stewart added: “I said this on the radio at the derby and it is a perfect example. Paul McGinn, shown the door, Lewis Miller brought in for more money. Better player, thank you and off you go, worse player we will spend more money.”
Hibs board have shown ‘no class’
While things are going wrong on the pitch, Stewart has also claimed that they have shown a lack of class off it.
Bringing up a story he told previously about the families of club legends Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson being charged for hospitality tables at their final game, he also discussed former chairman Rod Petrie being charge for a season ticket.
He sad: “Paul Hanlon and Lewis Stevenson were stalwarts of the club, the committee that was looking after them wanted to get a table for the last game of the season. The club were then charging the families for a table. Little things like that, that’s not class.
“Rod Petrie now doesn’t get a ticket for the game, he has to buy his own ticket. Some would say, ‘Well, that’s fair enough’. But the club as a whole, you look after people who have given service to the club. There’s no class there. There’s no understanding of how you do things. That is indicative of the club as a whole.
“Paul McGinn, shown the door. Why? I don’t know. Lesser players brought in, more money spent. Leanne Dempster, out of the door. More expensive replacements who aren’t up to the job and aren’t doing as good a job as they were.
“Jack Ross was the first manager who was bulleted by Ron Gordon and his family and bit by bit, you are spending more money and bringing in less quality. On the park, it’s the exact same.”