Hibs only made one signing in the January window while at least four players left for good – but they’ve still come out the window stronger than they went in.
And that’s because they’ve managed to clear out a good whack of the deadwood that was cluttering up the dressing room doing nothing and more importantly soaking up too much of David Gray’s wage budget. Gray’s squad coming into January was as bloated as my belly after a month-long festive binge. But unlike my gut it’s been streamlined thanks to an efficient month of trimming the fat.
Hibs have been guilty in the past of just signing bodies to appease fans but they have resisted that. David Gray now has a tight-knit group that is on an upward trajectory towards the Euro spots. The addition of Alasana Manneh in the middle of the park is exciting and they’ve managed to hold onto Elie Youan. Releasing Harry McKirdy, Luke Amos and Jake Doyle-Hayes makes good sense while Nohan Kenneh’s loan to Ross County will spell the end of his time at Hibs too.
I’m happy Youan stayed after Stoke reportedly failed with a seven-figure bid.
The Frenchman gives you another option out wide or up front and along with Martin Boyle he is the only one who threatens in behind with pace. I still reckon he’ll be away in the summer if the right bid comes in but for now he can be a massive player as Hibs go after a Euro spot and a Scottish Cup run.
Youan’s not the only player who has an interesting summer ahead though. One man who has almost been forgotten about could well be as important as any new signing. Dylan Vente. The Dutchman just can’t stop scoring goals right now on loan at PEC Zwolle which has really given Gray some food for thought.
Vente has struck six times in his last five games in the Eredivisie including in a win over champions PSV Eindhoven. I saw his two goals in the weekend draw with Utrecht and he is looking every inch the number nine that convinced Hibs to shell out a bumper £700,000 for the Dutchman 18 months ago.
His first was a wonderful two-touch finish when he brought a free kick into the box down with his right foot before slotting home with a quick flick of his left. Vente’s second goal was just as good as he showed strength to pick up a loose ball outside the box and beat his man before firing home another lovely left footed strike on the angle.
The former Feyenoord hitman is firing off shots quickly and that’s the sign of a striker on top of his game. So what Hibs decide to do when his loan ends in the summer – at a time when he’ll have a year left on his contract – will be interesting. I’m sure there will be clubs willing to at the very least match the £700,000 Hibs paid Roda. A lot will also depend on the player. Maybe he’s happy back in his homeland. Sometimes it just doesn’t work out at a club.
But I feel Vente was misused at Easter Road too often. I felt sorry for him at times. He was played in a role where he had to do a lot of running, he had to drop into midfield when teams were playing three or four in there and he did a lot of donkey work for very little.
I liked him early doors, he looked good up front with Adam Le Fondre. But Le Fondre got injured, Vente then started to play as a 10 and he spent too much time running about, doing doggies, chasing people. I remember him doing a great job on Callum McGregor in a 0-0 draw, I wrote that in the column, he did a real good job for the team, he just sat on McGregor and done doggies all day, which was great for the team.
But as a striker you don’t want to be doing that every week, because you’re not going to score any goals.
He got into the team under David Gray but missed a sitter at St Mirren and I think the manager lost trust in him after that game.
He was under pressure, needed someone who could score goals and I think the best move for him was a loan move. By all accounts he’s playing as an out-and-out number nine for Zwolle, and that’s why he’s in amongst the goals again, he’s staying in the box. He’s a talented player and you didn’t really see the rest of him at Hibs.
Listen, Hibs are playing 3-5-2 at the minute and he needs to play up front with somebody. I wouldn’t be against him coming back, but if Hibs got offered good money it’s a hard one to turn down. He’s showing up well at a smaller club. At 25 somebody might pay a million quid for him. Either way, if he comes back I’m happy, if he doesn’t and Hibs get a million quid, I’m happy.
And I’m sure Gray will be too. After a quiet January in the way, the main business will be done in the summer with around 10 more players out of contract – that will then give the manager a blank canvas to really put his stamp on the squad.