We know of the players that have been brought into Easter Road by Neil Lennon, and that have also departed too, but other bits and bobs have been going on recently with Hibernian.
Lennon had tried to sign his former Leicester teammate Emile Heskey but (as he had Celtic more than once) the former England international turned down Hibs, as did Motherwell’s Scott McDonald.
Jordon Forster, back from his loan with English League 2 side Plymouth last season, was tied down to a new deal though with Lennon also showing an interest in West Brom ‘keeper Alex Palmer.
First though more on that Heskey approach.
Not only was he a teammate of Lennon’s previously he was also a player of his with his former club Bolton but, much as he had when approached by Celtic twice, the 38-year-old turned down the chance to come north saying he’s ‘now happy to do coaching rather than playing’ therefore his playing days are now over?
McDonald was someone Lennon thought he was going to bring in.
The pair were teammates at Celtic with it expected the 32-year-old Australian international could be tempted to Easter Road at the End of his Motherwell contract but in the end, much to Lennon’s disappointment it would appear, McDonald decided to extend his Fir Park contract.
McDonald said, despite ‘several serious offers on the table’, that he ‘loved being’ at Motherwell with him deciding that with him ‘playing with players and a manager who I respect and supporters’ he needed to be true to them as they’ve ‘been very good’ to him.
Some you win, some you lose!
Forster was offered a new contract by former boss Alan Stubbs when he left Hibs for a loan spell with Plymouth in January and following his 12-matches for them, being part of the League 2 play-off final losing squad, he’s back with the Hibees with him commenting to a two-year deal.
As for Premier League ‘keeper Palmer, with Conrad Logan released and Mark Oxley on his way to Southend, Sky Sports has reported Lennon is looking to bring in the West Brom youngster on a season-long loan deal adding him to the arrival of Ross Laidlaw recently.
Finnish youngster Otso Virtanen and Laidlaw are the only ‘keepers Lennon has at the moment.
