Hibs need SEVEN signings and Kevin van Veen should be their first as Tam McManus lines up ideal Nisbet plan B

Brian McDermott has promised to cast the net wide to find stars for Hibs. But the new director of football doesn’t need to look too far for one of the top priorities this summer.

In terms of signings I reckon Hibs need seven – and it should start with a man named Kevin with a touch from heaven. It’s van Veen, of course. The budget Bergkamp would guarantee you value and should Kevin Nisbet leave as expected then his namesake would be a replacement you could hang your hat on. His goals record of 25 for Motherwell already this season – that included a double at Easter Road last month – is astonishing but his quality means van Veen’s more than just a goalscorer.

That touch against Kilmarnock that sent two defenders for a Killie Pie and teed him up to net for the 10th time in seven on Saturday was as good as anything I’ve seen in Scottish football for a long time. A move to Leith would make sense for the Dutchman too as it would be a move to a bigger club where he could more or less treble his salary and hopefully have a chance to play in European football.

I reckon Well will try to sell van Veen in the summer so Hibs should at least be asking the question. McDermott’s appointment is hugely positive and I’m really looking forward to seeing what he can do. The timing is great too.

He’ll have been watching the last few games and has another four to cast his eyes over things before sitting down with Lee Johnson to prioritise what areas need strengthened, who is being kept and who is being shown the door.

That’s when the real work starts. As I said, I reckon Hibs need seven new faces in. And that’s on top of sealing permanent deals for loan stars Elie Youan - whose permanent switch from St Gallen is excellent news - and Will