Lee Johnson in Martin Boyle to Hibs transfer addresses as he opens up on next move

Lee Johnson insists he’d always be keen on a Hibs return for Martin Boyle - even if the situation is currently out of the club’s control.

Boyle’s future is up in the air just six months after his £2.5m move to Al-Faisaly following the Saudi Arabians’ relegation this week. Hibs have first refusal on the 29-year-old should he decide to end his stint in the Middle East although Boyle, who scored 60 goals in seven seasons at Hibs, is understood to be keen on staying put to help the club battle for promotion.

Johnson said: “He’s under contract with another club. He’s a good player and I’ve always admired him and often looked when I was at clubs that could be in the market to buy a player like that. He’s always been very high on our list. It’s not in our hands, any transfer.

“Right now I wouldn’t say there’s anything but there would always be an interest. You keep an eye on any situation. But then you might spend your money or someone has done brilliantly and there’s no slot, you might have to move someone out first.”

Johnson has made eight signings since taking over just five weeks ago and is spreading his search for another central defender across the globe.

He said: “Another centre-half could be quite important. I like having depth at centre-half.

“My experiences if you mess about at centre-half and think you can carry one then you get two injuries and you’re in right trouble.

“I like having four centre-halves plus a good young lad or two around the fringes.

“We have players like Lewis Miller and Nohan Kenneh who aren’t averse to playing there.

“I think we’re alright. I think one more attacker. I’m not 100 percent sure yet.

“I’d rather go for the quality than just getting an average one in because we can afford it. If