Hibs made their first signing of the January transfer window this week with the arrival of Alasana Manneh.
The 26-year-old Gambian joined from Odense Boldklub on a three-and-a-half year contract and boosts David Gray’s options in the middle of the park.
Hibs made a bid for Matias Siltanen and had interest in Jani Atanasov – both midfielders – but it was Manneh who they managed to secure.
Not The Old Firm understands Hibs still want a goalkeeper and striker before the window closes on Monday night as the club seek to add to their squad.
Manneh will be raring to go but as is the case with international transfers, visas and clearance come into play.
And unfortunately, because his visa and international clearance has not gone through just yet, it means he is unlikely to make his Hibs debut against Aberdeen on Saturday.
Hibs newbie Manneh unavailable for Aberdeen game
That has been confirmed to the Edinburgh Evening News by Gray, who said he will be available to play against Ayr United in the Scottish Cup next Friday evening.
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Gray said of Manneh: “I don’t think he’ll be in time for the weekend because of his visa and international clearance – but we’ve managed to get all that done in terms of contracts and medicals and all that.
“It will all get done before the window closes and then he’ll be available after that, which is good. He gives us real strength and depth in the middle of the pitch.”
What Manneh can bring to Hibs
Gray went on to describe what Manneh will offer Hibs in midfield as the gaffer highlighted the ex-Barcelona kid’s competitiveness and comfort in possession.
Gray said: “I think he’s got really good energy, he holds the middle of the pitch really well, very competitive, but also very comfortable on the ball.
“He’s come through Barcelona’s academy as a young boy, so he can handle the ball, played in big games, played for a big club.
“I don’t want to put too much pressure on him because you don’t want to make it sound like he’s signed the best player in the world.
“But at the same time, there’s a reason why we’ve tried to get him for the qualities he’s got. He’s an all-round midfielder and, for the way we play at the moment, I think it’ll really help us.
“The left-sided nature of it as well, we’ve only got Joe Newell who’s left-sided at the moment, so when Joe’s not been playing, he can give us that balance at times.
“That is not the be-all and end-all, of course, but certainly adds to that balance in midfield and gives us something slightly different. I’m looking forward to working with him.
“I think when you watch his games, he has really good moments within the game, just like anybody else.”