It's that time of year again, the January transfer window is about to open, and once again Hibs need to make some signings.
Boss Nick Montgomery has only been in the hotseat a few months, but he will know where we need to bring new faces in after a mixed season so far.
There has been some positive signs under the new manager, but there has also been some old problems re-appearing lately after losses to St Johnstone, and Hearts in the derby a few days ago, and they need addressed!
The departures of Martin Boyle, Jojo Wollacott, Rocky Bushiri and Lewis Miller on long-term international duty to either the Asian Cup or AFCON has made the need to enter the market even more urgent.
Hibs also have a lengthy injury list with Jake-Doyle-Hayes, Chris Cadden, Harry McKirdy and now Josh Campbell on the treatment table.
There has already been a departure, with striker Elias Melkersen heading home to Norway to join Stromsgodset in a £1.2m deal, so there is some cash in the bank and a hefty wage freed up.
January could also see a few players heading out the door to free up more wages, with the likes of Nohan Kenneh, on loan with Shrewsbury and Daniel Mackay, on loan with Livingston moved on permanently.
We must stress, NONE of these players have been linked with Easter Road and we are NOT suggesting they will sign.
GOALKEEPER
Hibs have had problems with this position ever since Ofir Marciano left the club for Feyenoord back in 2021.
David Marshall's form has improved lately, but he's not getting any younger at 37, and with Jojo Wollacott picking up a long-term injury and then struggling to get in the side after returning, this only leaves young Max Boruc as the other option, he impressed when given the chance, but he may still be too young.
BENJAMIN SIEGRIST - Celtic - The 31-year-old has never played a league game since signing from Dundee United on a free transfer in June 2022, and as far as we can tell has only played once, in a league cup game against Ross County.
Siegrist still has over 2 years left on his deal at Parkhead, but surely Hibs must ask the question, he has plenty experience, and was a good goalkeeper for Dundee United previously.
He seems to be No.3 behind Joe Hart and Scott Bain, another reason to try and tempt him to Edinburgh.
Even if the Hibees could get a loan deal through for the rest of the season, he would improve the squad.
DEFENCE
Hibs quite simply, HAVE to bolster the back-line this window, we BADLY need a left-sided central defender to partner Will Fish, AND we probably need another central defender on top of that.
Rocky Bushiri had a shocker in the derby and has never been convincing, Paul Hanlon is another who isn't getting any younger but could still be decent back-up.
Riley Harbottle doesn't seem to be in the reckoning, with him only playing twice this season, and NEVER since Monty came in.
The most obvious left sided central defender jumping out is on loan Kilmarnock player STUART FINDLAY.
The 28-year-old Scotland international has been in fine form for Killie this season, but is only on loan at Rugby Park from Oxford United.
Hibs came close to signing Findlay from Oxford last season, could they go back in and try and hijack his loan at Killie? Clearly his time at Oxford seems to be over, if we make an offer when the window opens it's likely we could land him.
STEPHEN WELSH - Celtic - Maybe a bit of a long shot, with the 23-year-old recently signing a new 4-year-deal with the Parkhead club.
However, he is quite the way down the pecking order with the Champions and has only played a handful of games this season.
In saying that he started against Rangers today before going off injured, so maybe a deal could be more difficult than we thought,
Could we temp him to Easter Road on a loan deal until the end of the season?
Another we have seen being mentioned is Wigan defender JASON KERR, however he is out with a long-term cruciate injury and isn't really an option.
There doesn't seem to be any news on his return, however he is a free agent come the summer, a possible pre-contract summer signing?
Hibs boss Nick Montgomery must surely also be looking at the right back position, as mentioned, Lewis Miller is off for a lengthy international spell, but his form has dipped and he was awful against Hearts.
Other options at right back are 16-year-old Rory Whittaker who has played a few games and done well, or the returning Chris Cadden.
Cadden has been out for quite the while, so his return could still be a while off so it's likely we need to enter the market.
There is also the option of re-calling KANAYO MEGWA from his loan spell with Airdrie, where he is flying?
SHAUN ROONEY would be a good option for us, but he could be difficult and fairly expensive to land, he plays every week at Fleetwood and may want to stay.
However, Fleetwood have been terrible this season and have struggled under flop ex Hibs boss Lee Johnson, who was sacked today, at the foot of English League One.
Rooney only has 6 months left on his contract, and could potentially be signed on a pre-contract this summer as well.
Surely a possible European run and a move back to the Premiership could tempt the 27-year-old?
MIDFIELD
GREG DOCHERTY is a name well known to Hibs fans after an impressive loan spell from Rangers 3 years ago, where he played 8 times scoring 3 goals.
A move for him could be costly and maybe not one we could pull off.
He hasn't been playing every week recently at Hull City and was an unused sub in their win over Blackburn Rovers yesterday.
Could we temp him back? could we afford to? Maybe a bit fantasy land this one.
Another target could be former Dundee United player JEANDRO FUCHS.
A cracking little player for the Tannadice club before he moved south to Peterborough.
However he has only just returned to fitness and is back in the match-day squad after being out since August after going for an operation.
Should Hibs test the water and see if we could land the Cameroon international?
WINGER
DANIEL ARMSTRONG - Been in sensational form for Kilmarnock over the last couple of seasons.
Hibs could do with some competiton to take the heat off Martin Boyle, who let's not forget, has just returned from a horrible injury.
The Rugby Park side are said to be resigned to the fact he is attracting interest, and are said to have put a price tag of £600,000 on his head.
With £1.2m from the Melkersen transfer banked, should we dip into it to land Armstrong?
Big layout, but with possible big results.
STRIKER
KEVIN VAN VEEN is the obvious one here.
Bagged 28 goals for Motherwell last season, but his move home to Holland with FC Gronigen has not worked out.
He is back in Scotland with his partner and child on leave, and he doesn't plan on going back.
Rangers had been heavily linked but have now just signed Wolves striker Fabio Silva on loan, so the deal looks dead in the water.
Hibs would face competition for his signature, but he would be perfect foil for countryman Dylan Vente up-front.
A loan deal would be the obvious conclusion, could we pull it off?
As we said at the start of the article, none of these players are being linked with Easter Road, and some of it is maybe fantasy football, but they are players we think we could possibly attract.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS ARTICLE ON OUR FORUM HERE