Tam McManus admits Hibs star has proven him wrong and names 3 signings needed

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Hibs’ draw with Rangers was another occasion on which the team showed their mettle.

The Hibees fought back against Gers to claim a point after being 2-0 and then 3-2 down. It was eerily similar to the 3-3 draw with Aberdeen weeks prior as the Easter Road men showed their character.

The same man, Rocky Bushiri, scored the late equaliser on both occasions while Martin Boyle had a big role to play in the latest draw with a double.

Manager David Gray singled out the Hibs pair for praise after both came through adversity earlier in the season to win back their places in the team.

Gray had previously lauded ‘model professional’ Bushiri for his attitude while out of the team before striking that stirring Dons equaliser.

The DR Congo international has been playing at the heart of a back three and, while he still has lapse moments to iron out, his performances have been strong on the whole.

His manager hasn’t been the only one to notice, with Hibs fans delighted with his progress and mental strength.

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Rocky Bushiri Hibs transformation

Former Easter Road striker Tam McManus has been thrilled to see the turnaround of the 25-year-old, admitting there has been more than one time he suspected he was finished in Leith.

Just before the change in fortunes was the 4-1 defeat to Dundee in which Bushiri had a shocker and McManus insists Hibs fans wanted shot of him at that point.

So to see where he is now deserves enormous credit. He also sees him becoming a “cult hero” with age still on his side.

Writing in the Daily Record, he said: “The change I have seen in Rocky Bushiri at Hibs since the end of November has probably been the biggest turnaround I have ever seen in a footballer.

“There’s been more than one time during his time in Leith where I thought the big man was down and out. He’s had the nine count on a good few occasions at Easter Road.

“But he’s got up every time and hit back. And this time he’s not just lifted himself off the canvas – he looks to have dragged the team with him.

“Since his 96th minute equaliser against Aberdeen, Hibs have lost just one in nine games and that was against Celtic. He’s now done the same thing with a late equaliser in Sunday’s heroic fightback to draw 3-3 with Rangers.

“Rocky’s scoring huge goals and even chipping in with classy assists for Martin Boyle. Obviously there’s still the odd wee brain fart at the other end that we saw against Rangers. But over the piece he has been excellent at both ends and a colossal source of inspiration to those around him.

“I think back to the Dundee game before that Aberdeen draw where he had a nightmare. Hibs lost 4-1 and if you asked 95 per cent of fans that night they’d have said ‘get rid’. But that figure is getting cut drastically with every game.

“I certainly had my doubts but if he keeps playing the way he is then he’s going to become a real cult hero. Not just that but if he cuts out the mistakes he will become a big asset because he is still only 25.”

Hibs told 3 signings to make

McManus is encouraged by the direction his old club is heading in but thinks there are three signings they should be targeting to help them progress.

He added: “Hibs recovered brilliantly from a poor start. Gray made a tweak and the character of his side shone through. After Celtic, Hibs are the form team in the top tier and with Kieran Bowie due back in the next week or two it’s really exciting again.

“Bring in another goalkeeper, centre half and maybe striker this month and the second half of the season could be really positive.”