Club aims to land Jamie McGrath by July date as push continues for loan duo

A goalscoring midfielder, Jamie McGrath spent last season on loan at Dundee United from Wigan Athletic.

The squad return to the club’s East Main training centre next Thursday – the day after they learn who they have been drawn against for the Europa Conference League qualifiers – and will put in a couple of weeks of fitness and conditioning work before heading abroad between on July 6-14 to continue their preparations for the new campaign. The hope is that they will have added at least a couple of new faces to the ranks by the time they jet off, including McGrath.

A player the Easter Road side came close to signing in the dying moments of the 2021 summer transfer window, they are back in for the 26-year-old who spent last term at Dundee United, on loan from Wigan Athletic. It is understood that the Lancashire club would be willing to part with the Republic of Ireland international, who previously turned out for St Mirren, as they attempt to trim the squad following relegation into the English League One.

While McGrath was initially a Jack Ross pick, the current Hibs manager Lee Johnson – who is keen to enlist an attacking midfielder as he seeks to add goals from different areas of his team – is also an admirer. Johnson is hoping that the squad rebuilding work can be completed quickly following the sale of Kevin Nisbet in a £2m-plus switch to Millwall and the departure of first team players Marijan Cabraja, Kevin Dabrowski, Aiden McGeady and Mikey Devlin.

Hibs are closing in on a deal for Will Fish, who impressed last season on loan from Man Utd.

Johnson has admitted that launching into competitive action so early last season caught him off guard as the Leith side exited one of the two main cup competitions far too soon. This year the aim is to get business completed as early as possible to enhance their chances of exiting the blocks strongly. The return of Manchester United loanee Will Fish looks set to be rubber-stamped in the coming days, while Johnson has made no secret of his desire to bring Burnley’s CJ Egan-Riley back north. The two talented 20-year-olds made a positive contribution last season and Johnson believes he can help them develop further, benefitting the players and the clubs.

The manager expects there to be further loan deals as new rules make it possible to borrow up to seven players during the upcoming season but, with parent clubs tied in to honouring pre-season friendly commitments and those clubs and the individual players weighing up their own options well into the window, that recruitment policy often requires patience. However, Hibs are working to fill as many gaps as possible as early as they can.

The shopping list is likely to feature another goalkeeper, a left-back, someone to spearhead the attack and a forward-thinking, goalscoring midfielder to tuck in alongside the pacey Elie Youan and returning Martin Boyle behind the main striker.

While Nisbet notched up an eye-catching tally of goals in the second half of the season, there was a need for more prolific back up. Youan contributed, as did midfielder Josh Campbell. but Johnson often lamented the absence of Kyle Magennis. He could prove a vital cog but his injury history suggests the need for greater strength in depth in that area, which is where McGrath comes in.