From questionable signings to the late loss of Warren O’Hora, Hibernian’s summer business has left more questions than answers. With Marink Reedijk now in charge, the consequences of a poorly constructed squad are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
There is a temptation at Hibernian to blame individual players or managers whenever results disappoint. However, as the weeks go by, it is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the bigger problem at Easter Road: recruitment.
Hibs’ summer business has left the squad looking unbalanced, short of pace and lacking the depth required to compete consistently. Reedijk offers a fresh start, but a new manager cannot simply transform a squad that appears to have been assembled for a different tactical system.
Nathan Lowe has become a target for frustrated supporters, and while his performances have left room for improvement, the criticism risks missing the bigger picture. Having recently turned 21, Lowe is still developing and should not be expected to carry Hibs’ attack with little to no support. The fact that he is the only striker the club signed is a recruitment problem, not his personal responsibility. Hibs needed another experienced option to provide competition, share the workload and allow Lowe to develop without carrying the burden of being the main attacking solution.
Azeem Abdulai is another signing that raises questions. His limited involvement has made it difficult to understand precisely why he was signed. A lack of appearances does not automatically make a player a poor signing, and he deserves an opportunity to prove himself. Nevertheless, as the weeks pass, his arrival looks increasingly bizarre given Hibs’ other areas of need.
Jason Kerr has also struggled to convince consistently, adding to the feeling that Hibs have not recruited enough players capable of making an immediate impact.
The late departure of Warren O’Hora is perhaps the most concerning example. Hibs did sign a replacement almost instantly in Marko Ivezić from Bundesliga 2 side Holstein Kiel, but that did not immediately solve the problem. It took weeks for Ivezić to become match-ready, leaving the club without an instant replacement ahead of the first derby of the season.
Signing a replacement is one thing, but ensuring he is ready to contribute is another. If Hibs were prepared to let O’Hora leave so close to the transfer deadline, they needed a defender who was going to make an instant impact. For me, this was the cherry on top of what was a disastrous summer transfer window for the club.
There is also a wider tactical issue. Hibs appear to have recruited for David Gray’s back-three or back-five system, leaving Reedijk with a squad that may not suit the football he wants to play. A change of manager inevitably brings adjustments, but the club should have considered whether its recruitment strategy was flexible enough to accommodate a different approach.
One obvious consequence is the lack of pace across the team. Rabbi Matondo provides a welcome injection of speed and directness, but one quick winger cannot solve all of Hibs’ squad issues.
If Reedijk wants his team to press aggressively, move the ball quickly and play with greater intensity, he needs players capable of executing those ideas. A manager can improve organisation and individual performances, but he cannot manufacture qualities that are missing from the squad.
Until the January transfer window opens, Hibs may have little choice but to show patience with Marink Reedijk. He has inherited a squad that appears unbalanced and does not suit the style of football he wants to play, meaning any immediate improvement will take time. Reedijk cannot be held solely responsible for the recruitment decisions that have left the team short in key areas. The coming months should be about getting the best out of the players available, building a clearer identity and identifying exactly what needs to change. January will provide an opportunity to address those weaknesses, but until then, the Hibees may have to accept some frustrating results and give their new manager time to put things right.
