Libbra Liberty!
(Stuart Crowther)

ALEX McLEISH IS ASTOUNDED today at the liberties being taken by the agent representing Toulouse striker Mark Libbra, whom the Easter Road club thought they were close to signing on a three-month loan deal.

As reported by Hibs.Net last night, the deal to bring Libbra to Easter Road has hit a snag in that the players agent is now demanding a fee - for doing nothing.  And the angry Hibs boss now believes that the deal can be scuppered - unless the agent withdraws his demands.  McLeish said: "If there is a permanent deal then the agent can negotiate, but not for a loan deal between two clubs.  This guy just turns up and wants paid.  It is amazing, it just seems these people expect to charge thousands just for a phone call."

The loan deal has been agreed between the French club and Hibernian, and Libbra was expected to arrive back in Edinburgh this week - although he would not be able to take part in the Scottish Cup tie against Stirling Albion on Saturday.  However the intervention of the players agent has put serious doubt over any deal being done, McLeish saying: "It will be finished, for the life of me I don't see why there could be any agent fee as the deal is between two clubs.  It is a ludicrous situation, if Marc sanctions his Agents demands then that will be it, no deal."

Marc Libbra

Meanwhile Russell Latapy played 45 minutes in a friendly yesterday for Trinidad and Tobago during their training get-together in England, with Lyndon Andrews taking part in the entire match with T&T lost 3-0.  Speculation continues over Latapy's future at Easter Road, but Hibs.Net understands that talks with the player and his representative continue, although it remains to be seen if a deal can be reached for a player who it would appear is much in demand, if every report of interest from England is to be believed!

And the shock news for Hibs fans is that the club look set to lose the services of both Latapy and his international team-mate Lyndon Andrews for the crunch match against Celtic a week on Sunday.  Both are expected to fly out on international duty to Trinidad.