MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 16:57:44| >> :600:122239:122239:

Paul Heckingbottom rules out any further signings at Hibernian

Paul Heckingbottom rules out any further signings at Hibernian
© Reuters
The midfielder arrived from Bolton this week.

Hibernian head coach Paul Heckingbottom has declared his summer transfer business complete.

Former Bolton midfielder Josh Vela became Heckingbottom's seventh summer signing this week and the Hibs boss says he will be the last.

The former Leeds and Barnsley manager had been working to bring back Marc McNulty and Stephane Omeonga after successful loan spells last season, but a deal for the former proved too expensive and Hibs appear to have given up on their pursuit of the Belgian.

"That's it, we are done," Heckingbottom said. "Unless circumstances change or something unforeseen happens which we have got to react to, that will be it.

"It's been a big change – 11 out and seven in. It's going to take time but we are well on our way.

"We need them to settle down as a group and really understand each other and their roles in the team. You can only do that with games, so I'm glad the competitive games have started."

Vela arrived after deciding to leave England following 17 years with Bolton.

"Josh, we had been speaking to for a while," Heckingbottom said. "He was waiting on an offer from a Championship team who wanted him and got sick of waiting. He knew how keen we were.

"It was a case of, 'I'm not hanging about, I want to sign for Hibs'. Perfect, that's the type of player we want. We were delighted and it happened really quick."

Those negotiations were in contrast to Heckingbottom's experience of trying to sign Funso Ojo. Both Aberdeen and Hibs had bids for the midfielder accepted by Scunthorpe but the player signed for the Dons at the weekend.

But Heckingbottom claimed Hibs had pulled out of the contest.

"We thought it was gone, he came back when Aberdeen had a bid agreed, we matched that," he said.

"But then the player started messing us about a bit, so it was a case of, 'No, we don't want you'.

"You can't be dead set on coming somewhere, the only club for you, and all of a sudden it's not. So as soon as we got those vibes it was time to pull the plug.

"We want people who want to come here and as soon as you get the vibe they are not, good luck, we are not interested in that."

Hibs have Florian Kamberi and Martin Boyle back in their squad for Saturday's Betfred Cup clash with Alloa at Easter Road.

ID:365520: cacheID:365520:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3666:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Paul Heckingbottom in charge of Leeds United on April 13, 2018
Read Next:
Hibernian end interest in Scunthorpe's Funso Ojo
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1514104444043
2Aberdeen16104230181234
3RangersRangers1510232791832
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd156632215724
5Motherwell157171823-522
6Dundee165472729-219
7St Mirren165381926-718
8Ross County163671230-1815
9St Johnstone1642101829-1114
10Kilmarnock163581734-1714
11Hearts163491825-713
12Hibernian162681828-1012


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!