- EXCLUSIVE with Mark Hendry
Hibs are yet to make their first January signing but things do seem to be moving in that regard.
We told last month how the Hibees were looking to add a goalkeeper, a midfielder and a striker in this window.
Results have dramatically improved since then and things are looking far rosier for David Gray.
The need to improve in the goalkeeping department has been pushed back to the summer with Jordan Smith taking over from Josef Bursik and doing a decent enough job.
But they would still like to recruit outfielders and Hibs recently made an offer for Matias Siltanen, a 17-year-old Finnish midfielder.
They were also linked to another player in the middle of the park, Croatian Jani Atanasov.
Atanasov is on a list of options for Gray and his recruitment team and there is nothing more in it at this stage, but another name was doing the rounds in recent days for a potential loan.
Hibs Tyrese Hall interest addressed
There had been suggestions Hibs were about to secure a loan for the rest of the season for Tottenham Hotspur youngster Tyrese Hall.
The 19-year-old is thought to have a big future and has featured for Spurs’ under-21s in Premier League 2, scoring three and assisting two this season.
Not the Old Firm can reveal the Easter Road side DID hold an interest in the player and potentially taking him on loan, but that has fizzled out and now won’t be happening.
Sky Sports recently reported Tottenham were set to sanction a loan exit for Hall this month, mentioning there was interest from the Scottish Premiership.
There has also been significant interest in the young midfielder from the English Championship with Stoke City strongly mentioned by reporter Darren Witcoop.
It has been hoped that Hall might get chances in Ange Postecoglou’s first team this season and he has been urged to go out on loan with that not forthcoming.
John Wenham of the Lilywhite Rose podcast recently told Spurs News: “It is a strange situation because Hall featured heavily during pre-season.
“However, we’ve not seen him at all since then, and I’m not sure why that is. It is an unusual situation, and I think the best thing for Hall is to head out on loan in January.
“He is above the level of Under-21 football, in my opinion, and should be out playing senior men’s football and gaining valuable experience. Therefore, hopefully, the club are doing everything in their power to facilitate that and get a good move for the midfielder.”
Hall is ‘unbelievable’ talent
Spurs legend Jermain Defoe has coached Hall in the academy and was wowed by his talents, handing a heady comparison to Luka Modric and Joe Cole.
He told Sky Sports: “The first one is a player that I coached at Tottenham for two years in the academy. I’d go as far as saying he’s probably one of the best players at his age that I have seen in the country.
“I remember we played a game last year, I think it was against Chelsea, and his performance was unbelievable. It was a standout performance, probably his best of the season in a big game.
“I think we ended up winning 3-2 after being 2-0 down. It was a masterclass, and the player’s name is Tyrese Hall.
“He’s someone who I believe is a Premier League footballer. I know it’s a big statement but when I first saw him I thought, ‘you know what, I believe, god-willing, that he is someone that go on and play at the top, top level.’
“(He is) an unbelievable footballer, with so much potential. He reminds me a little bit, technically, and how he is so silky, again another big statement, of that Luka Modric sort of vibe and Joe Cole. A phenomenal talent.”