The very latest Premiership transfer news and rumours for January 2. Not The Old Firm provide you with updates concerning Hibs, Hearts, Aberdeen and more.
Jake Doyle-Hayes, Josh O’Connor & Nohan Kenneh leave Hibs
Yesterday, Hibs announced a triple exit with the departures of Jake Doyle-Hayes, Josh O’Connor and Nohan Kenneh.
With his contract set to expire in the summer, Doyle-Hayes agreed a deal with Hibs to terminate his stay early.
The 26-year-old had made just one Premiership appearance for the club this season but was dealing with an ankle injury that kept him sidelined.
20-year-old academy graduate O’Connor has also left permanently, but he has joined Northern Irish outfit Crusaders. Hibs have confirmed the deal includes a sell-on clause.
Meanwhile, midfielder Kenneh has returned to Ross County on loan until the end of the season having previously enjoyed a spell in Dingwall two years ago.
The Liberian international played on loan at Shrewsbury Town last season and did not make a single first-team appearance for Hibs this campaign.
Lewis Neilson recalled & Ryan Longman Hearts latest
Hearts got their January transfer business off to a flyer yesterday with the loan acquisition of Union Saint-Gilloise forward Elton Kabangu.
And now on the second day of the window, they have recalled their defender Lewis Neilson from fellow Premiership strugglers St Johnstone.
He made 18 appearances for the McDiarmid Park side this season as Hearts boss Neil Critchley commented: “Lewis has gained valuable experience in the Premiership these last few months at St Johnstone.
“His return allows us to strengthen an area of our squad which has suffered from injuries recently. We are looking forward to Lewis adding competition to our back line and staking a claim for a starting spot.”
Elsewhere, Hull City boss Ruben Selles has been quizzed on Hearts’ supposed interest in Ryan Longman.
The 24-year-old winger could be allowed to leave the EFL Championship side this month as he seeks more game time.
A reporter yesterday asked Selles whether Longman’s injury sustained against Middlesbrough could impact a potential move to Tynecastle in January.
Selles replied: “I think it’s too soon to tell. We need to see what is the situation with him. If it’s a couple of weeks then it’s about us and what we can do in the market. We will analyse.”
Kevin Nisbet’s Aberdeen loan status
Aberdeen boss Jimmy Thelin is relaxed about the possibility of striker Kevin Nisbet being recalled by Millwall.
Nisbet is on loan at Pittodrie having joined in the summer but after a promising start, his form has regressed significantly.
Millwall hold the option to bring Nisbet back, as Thelin told reporters: “I take it what it is right now and not so much if things change.
“Now we focus on what actually is today. That’s the way we have to do because you never know when someone gets sold, someone gets injured or someone goes back from a loan.
“It’s better to focus on what you have, but then have the long-term process around. Then if something short-term happens, an issue, then we have to look at it that way.”