Lee Johnson has admitted there will be a big clear out at Easter Road as he looks for quality over quantity. The Hibernian manager slammed his players after being thrashed 3-0 by Hearts at Tynecastle on Monday, saying there are "too many average players" at the club.
Speaking after the derby, he said he was "sick to death of the mediocrity" in his squad as he named three players who could help ease the pain over the next couple of games. Aiden McGeady, Kevin Nisbet and Kyle Magennis have been given the nod of approval from Johnson, but he admitted he wants to the right faces in during the window.
He added: "It’s not the worst squad in the world, I’m not saying we are a bad team and I haven’t lost belief in the ones I believe in. I just think we need to add better quality and work our budget better. There’s a lot of average squad players, too many. I’d rather get rid of 10 and sign one that is high quality. We have made mistakes (with recruitment), it’s as simple as that. But the fit players at the moment either don’t have that football IQ or the ability to manipulate the ball and that is frustrating."
But who is he referring to when he talks about clearing out the dead wood? Here, Record Sport looks at Johnson's squad to predict who he might keep and who should be for the off.
David Marshall
The veteran keeper has proved his worth since arriving from Queens Park Rangers in the summer, so much so Johnson has given him the captain's armband. A solid performer and one who will be able to lift the performance levels in the squad in the second half of the season.
Verdict: Keep
Ryan Schofield
On loan keeper Schofield has signed by Johnson as back-up to Marshall after Dabrowski's injury in training. He has failed to challenge the Scotland goalie for a starting berth but is essential in case of injury.
Verdict: Keep
Kevin Dabrowski
The Polish goalkeeper suffered an injury during training in August last year and hasn't returned since then. Dabrowski's Hibs career has been defined by his heroics in the 0-0 at Easter Road in February 2022 when on his debut he picked up the man of the match award.
Verdict: Keep
Will Fish
Teenager has struggled for game time since arriving from Manchester United on loan in the summer. He was hauled off at half-time in the derby after being at fault for one of the goals.
Verdict: Go
Lewis Miller
The full-back has been hampered by injury since signing from Central Coast Mariners in the summer and has only featured on a handful of occasions. Miller will need more time to settle in the capital but his marauding runs may help Hibs improve their style of play.
Verdict: Keep
Marijan Cabraja
Lee Johnson will want to keep hold of Marijan Cabraja who arrived from Dinamo Zagreb in the summer on a three-year deal. He has been a regular feature for the Easter Road outfit at left-back this season and has proved he is up for the battle.
Verdict: Keep
Paul Hanlon
The club captain is a legend at Easter Road and Johnson will look to him to raise standards on the training pitch to get the team back to where Johnson wants them to be. He may be coming towards the latter part of his playing career but he still has a lot to offer this Hibs side.
Verdict: Keep
Ryan Porteous
Porteous looks almost certain to leave in the January transfer window which will be a huge blow for Johnson unless he is able to find a gem to replace the defender. The gaffer would love to keep the Scottish international but that looks extremely unlikely.
Verdict: Go (not through choice)
Chris Cadden
The defender is a solid performer for Lee Johnson and was one of the players who was critical of the display at Tynecastle saying it was "not good enough". Johnson will be looking for a bit more from the former Motherwell player but he is one to keep on side.
Verdict: Keep
Lewis Stevenson
Stevenson has struggled for game time this season at left-back and with his contract up at the end of the campaign his days at Hibs look to be coming to an end. Johnson won't get rid of Stevenson in January as he can still offer something at the back.
Verdict: Keep
Rocky Bushiri
The Belgian has impressed Johnson since he was appointed and has not been shy in praising him following a number of his displays this season. It hasn't all been plane sailing for Bushiri but Johnson will want to keep hold of him.
Verdict: Keep
Nohan Kenneh
Despite starting a vast majority of games this season Kenneh has failed to impress since joining from Leeds. Johnson wants more creativity and he's not getting it from him.
Verdict: Go
Kyle Magennis
Lee Johnson mentioned Magennis as another player who can unlock defences and help his team push up the table. Despite not starting in the derby he will be a regular going forward.
Verdict: Keep
Jake Doyle-Hayes
Doyle-Hayes looks like he could be on the verge of leaving Easter Road but Johnson would love for him to stay.
Verdict: Keep
Jair Tavares
The Portuguese player has failed to impress since signing a long-term deal in June last year. He has not been able to pin down a starting berth and failed to find the back of the net.
Verdict: Go
Joe Newell
Newell is a player that Hibs will look to rely on to create chances in the second half of the season. If strikers are making the right runs, he will find them.
Verdict: Keep
Ewan Henderson
Henderson was challenged by Johnson to find that killer instinct more often in front of goal and has so far failed to do so. At 22 he still has time on his hands but will need to improve to get to the next level.
Verdict: Keep
Demetri Mitchell
Record Sport exclusively revealed the Englishman could lead the exodus at Hibs and that news won't surprise the Leith faithful.
Verdict: Go
Josh Campbell
The 22-year-old has been a mainstay in the Hibs team this season and has been able to chip in with a couple of goals as well. Johnson will want to keep hold of him going forward.
Verdict: Keep
Aiden McGeady
The midfielder was one of the names mentioned by Johnson who could improve things in the creative areas for Hibs going forward. Now he is free from injury expect to see more of McGeady in a Hibs shirt.
Verdict: Keep
Martin Boyle
One of the reasons Hibernian have struggled so much in front of goal this season is due to the absence of Martin Boyle. The midfielder is by far Johnson's most influential player and will be badly missed for the rest of the season.
Verdict: Keep
Mykola Kukharevych
The Ukrainian has been able to find the back of the net on three occasions for Hibs since signing from ESTAC Troyes on a season-long loan. A recently injury has set his Hibs career back but could be a decent back-up striker.
Verdict: Keep
Harry McKirdy
The striker made just his second start for Hibs then he led the line with Nisbet at Tynecastle earlier this week. He has yet to score since signing from Swindon in the summer.
Verdict: Go
Kevin Nisbet
The Scottish international is now injury free and will start banging in the goals for the Leith club. He has been badly missed up front for Lee Johnson's side this season so he will give them a different dimension.
Verdict: Keep
Momodou Bojang
The Gambian striker who is on loan from Rainbow FC could have his season-long loan deal cut short in January if Johnson gets his way. Record Sport revealed last month he was one of the attackers up for the cull.
Verdict: Go
Elias Melkersen
The Norwegian forward has failed to shine during his time in Leith and is one that Johnson could offload in order to get a better option in the door.
Verdict: Go
Elie Youan
Youan has started the majority of games for Hibs so far this season. His loan spell will end later this year so Johnson will want to keep hold of him until then.
Verdict: Keep
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