Another Hibs exit as former Rangers prospect cut loose by Mackay

Mackay (centre), pictured with CEO Ben Kensell (left) and head of football operations Derek Whyte (right), is busy offloading unwanted assets. | SNS Group

Hibs have taken another step in trimming their over-sized squad ahead of this week’s return to pre-season training, with fringe player Kyle McClelland the latest to be off-loaded. The 22-year-old will sign for Coleraine, now managed by former Hibs midfielder Dean Shiels, in the Northern Ireland Football League on a season-long loan.

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Although Hibs sporting director Malky Mackay insists Hibs will be keeping tabs on the former Rangers prospect, the fact that the Northern Irishman is in the final year of his contract at Hibs suggests he’ll leave Easter Road without ever making an impact on the first team. McClelland was signed on Lee Johnson’s watch in July of 2022 but has spent most of his time out on loan, first with Cove Rangers and then – for all of last season – at Queen of the South, where he held down a regular starting place for the League One side.

Announcing the move yesterday, Mackay said: “This is a further opportunity for Kyle to gain regular experience of senior football. Moving to Northern Ireland and competing in a new league will give Kyle different tests and will provide him with a good platform to work on his game. We look forward to seeing how he progresses.”

The 22-year-old defender, who spent last season on loan at Queen of the South, will see out the final year of his Hibs contract at Coleraine. | Evening News

New man Mackay, who officially started in his role at the beginning of June, has been charged with trimming the squad – and budget – at East Mains as a priority. He’s still looking to shed unwanted assets from the first-team squad in order to create some leeway for new gaffer David Gray to operate in the transfer market.

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Hibs are still looking for buyers for more experienced players unlikely to feature under Gray, with the likes of Riley Harbottle and Nohan Kenneh providing difficult to offload. The club are still weighing up interest in Elie Youan, who they expect to fetch in excess of £2.5 million in the right circumstances – and they may also be tempted by a suitable offer for Martin Boyle, wanted by Perth Glory and Melbourne City. Hibs report back for training on Friday.