LEE Johnson has revealed that Hibernian will attempt to bring in a goalkeeper on an emergency loan before their cinch Premiership opener against St Mirren at Easter Road on Sunday after David Marshall and Jojo Wollacott both picked up injuries.
Marshall suffered a hamstring injury during the warm-up ahead of the Conference League second qualifying round second leg match against Inter d’Escaldes of Andorra in Leith last night.
Johnson quickly drafted summer signing Wollacott in to his starting line-up – but the Ghanian internationalist injured his hamstring early the first-half and had to be replaced by Max Boruc.
The 20-year-old debutant, the cousin of former Celtic and Poland player Artur, helped Hibs to defeat Inter, who were leading 2-1 from the first leg last week, 6-1 and record a 7-3 aggregate victory.
The capital club will now take on Luzern of Switzerland, who drew 1-1 with Djugarden of Sweden last night to win 3-2 on aggregate, in the third qualifying round.
Johnson stressed that he was impressed with how Boruc performed in difficult circumstances – but confessed that he will investigate adding another keeper to his squad in the coming days if Marshall and Wollacott fail to recover.
“David had a hamstring issue and we decided it wasn’t worth the risk,” he said. “Jojo has managed to damage his thigh when he took a goal kick.
“Then Max has come on after playing 90 minutes last night and helping the young lads through in that competition (Challenge Cup) as well.
“I don’t know if David will be okay for Sunday. We will have to assess the options. We have young Murray Johnson out on loan and we have Max.
“But there’s the potential to maybe sign an emergency on loan if the rules are the same as England. I have to check that.”
Johnson added: “I thought Max did well. I watched him on Wednesday night as well and I thought he did well there too.
“He’s got a good name hasn’t he? The Boruc name. I’m sure that comes with a pressure as well. But he’s a great kid, first and foremost. He’s really curious and he’s desperate to do well.
“We had a good look at him last year and looked into his personality as well and we were delighted to bring him back. He’s got a great frame. He can kick a ball and pass a ball as well.
“Naturally he is young and teams will put him under pressure, but that’s up to him. That’s how you get your opportunity as a young goalkeeper, through the misfortunes of others. And when that happens you have to take it.”
Johnson handed a start to Boyle, who had been sidelined for over nine months with a serious knee injury, and the Australian internationalist scored Hibs’ first two goals.
“It was needs must in one sense,” he said. “But he was also ready and passed all the physical markers on Tuesday.
“He has worked extremely hard and has deserved the minutes. He’s been champing at the bit to get on earlier. We are very proud of him for how hard he’s worked. He’ll be happy tonight and will sleep well I’m sure.
“I believe in him and I believed he would do well. I see him every day. I’ve been a bit frustrated and I went against medical guidance last weekend to play him at Blackpool with this game in mind.
“I had to question myself a little bit whether it was desperation to put him in, but it was more about the balance of the team and what we need and require to be as elite as we were tonight.”
