Lee Johnson admits Jair Tavares and Runar Hauge's time at Hibs is up as he looks to move the duo out of Easter Road. Neither player travelled to Marbella with the squad as Johnson puts his players through their paces in the searing Spanish sunshine.
And the manager - who revealed Joe Newell will get a scan on his hamstring after hobbling out of Saturday’s friendly win over FC Europa - says it’s time for the pair to move on. Johnson is still keen to bring defender Will Fish back on loan from Manchester United. But Scotland U21 midfielder Lewis Fiorini won’t be moving to Easter Road as Manchester City won’t use one of their allotted seven international loans on the 21-year-old.
And it’s the end of the road in Leith for Tavares who arrived from Benfica B for a six-figure fee a year ago. At the time Johnson described the signing of the speed machine winger as a “real coup” He played for the Hibs development squad in their 3-2 defeat at Berwick Rangers on Saturday while the first team were beating FC Europa 2-0 in a friendly in southern Spain and has made only nine first team appearances, seven off the bench. Now he looks to be on his way along with Hauge who was signed by previous boss Shaun Maloney in January 2022. The 21-year-old midfielder made only three appearances for the top team and was shipped out on loan to Dundalk last season.
And, speaking at Hibs’ Marbella base, Johnson said: “I think it’s time for Jair to move on potentially on loan or a permanent. That will shake up the squad a bit. He’s not quite infiltrated the team as much as I’d have liked and got the minutes.
“Same with Runar. We’re currently trying to help him as best we can to seek pastures new.”
Newell has failed to shake off a hamstring issue that’s been bothering the midfielder throughout pre-season and is set for a scan out here in Spain. He was replaced by Josh Campbell after 20 minutes of the 2-0 win over FC Europa.
And Johnson said: “Joe has had a neural hamstring injury for the last 10 days and he wants to keep getting through it and he has but we said if there was any sign, come off.
“I’d say it’s precautionary but at the same time we’ll need to scan it and we’ll try and get that done out here if we can to determine what needs doing.”
Hibs will step up their pre-season preparations when they take on Premier League Bournemouth at Marbella Football Centre on Thursday.
