David Gray delivers Hibs transfer address as new recruitment chief’s role comes into sharp focus

David Gray is confident Hibs WILL do business before the end of the transfer window. The Easter Road boss says he, new head of recruitment Garvan Stewart and sporting director Malky Mackay are working overtime to identify and move in on targets in key areas.

But Gray also insists the return of summer marquee signing Kieron Bowie already feels like a new addition after the striker made his comeback from a near five-month injury lay-off against Clydebank in the Scottish Cup on Saturday.

Hibs have yet to make any additions this month but have began to reduce their squad size with Jake Doyle-Hayes being freed, Nohan Kenneh joining Ross County on loan and Josh O’Connor signing for Northern Irish outfit Crusaders.

And Gray said: “The challenge is always to try and end the window in a more positive place than when you started, the work's never ending. We're trying to look at targets all the time and try and strengthen in areas which if we think something can be done that'll make us better, we're looking to do that. While the window is open you need to be proactive.

"I think there will be movement before the window closes. The closer you get to the end of the window you do things happening a lot more and quicker.”

Stewart joined Hibs from Bournemouth late last year and, alongside Mackay, is spearheading the recruitment drive which is already targeting the summer window as well as looking to strengthen in this window. Gray said: “The knowledge and experience Garvan has got and the network he has too from working for so long down south is great.

“Straight away you see the targets he’s identifying and the work that’s going on all the time. Naturally now everyone is talking about it because the window is open but the work never