JC uses break to go on spy mission

HIBS boss John Collins is set to miss Scotland's crunch clash with Italy at Hampden this weekend to jet off on a continental spying mission.

The Easter Road manager, who attended Scotland's last home game against Ukraine, won't be part of the sell-out crowd at the national stadium and will instead use the break from domestic action to run the rule over potential signing targets.

Collins has made no secret of his desire to bolster his squad when the January transfer window opens as the Hibees look to build on what has been a highly-promising start to the season.

He has already successfully dipped into the transfer market over the summer recruiting the likes of Brian Kerr, Clayton Donaldson and Yves Ma-Kalambay, who have all established themselves as important members of the first-team squad.

However, with suspensions and injuries likely to mount over the winter period and tiredness taking its toll as the campaign draws to a close, Collins is aware of the need to have strength in depth.

And, while he was keeping the destination of his trip close to his chest, he did reveal that he plans to watch potential targets in action.

"I'm probably going to be overseas," said Collins. "It's a chance to look at a couple of players but I'll be watching the Scotland game on television and it's one I'm looking forward to." One player whose name is being linked with Hibs is Kilmarnock striker Colin Nish.

The Rugby Park forward is out of contract at the end of the season and has so far refused to put pen to paper on a new deal in Ayrshire.

It's understood he would be available for a nominal fee in January.

Meanwhile, Collins admitted that Thierry Gathuessi's display against Gretna at the weekend has given him exactly the kind of selection dilemma every manager wants.

The Cameroon internationalist featured at Fir Park for the first time in six weeks and was one of the stand-out performers as Hibs edged out the Borderers 1-0. The former FC Sete defender was called upon due to injuries and Collins conceded that his display has given him food for thought.

"I was delighted for Thierry because he had been out the team for a few weeks but he came in and did an excellent job," said Collins.

"He tired a little bit in the last ten or 15 minutes but overall it was a good performance and I was pleased with his tackling and his distribution.

"He has a tough job fighting for his place because Kevin McCann has done ever so well but what we do know is any time he has come in he has done very well.

"He didn't speak much English when he arrived but he has been working with the English teacher for the last five or six weeks and is improving all the time. He was the only player that didn't really speak much English but he's coming on great. I'm sure the better his English gets the better he will get on the pitch.

"And that's great news for me because every manager wants competition for places."