One piece of good news for Hibs fans, and for Williamson though is the putting of pen to paper by Gary Smith on a deal which is double that initially offered by the club.  Smith, one of the most consistent performers in a disappointing season, was coming to the end of a previous one year extension to the contract he signed under Alex McLeish in 2000, that one being given as a result of a clause which stated it had to be given if the former Aberdeen defender played in a set number of games.  Smith had been attracting interest from Kilmarnock and Plymouth Argyle as his contract neared it's end but his agent, former Hibs goalkeeper Jim McArthur revealed that loyalty played as much a part in his decision as anything.

"Gary is very happy at Hibs, his family are settled in Edinburgh and he’s delighted to have signed the new deal because he’s enjoying his football as much as he has at any time in his career.  He appreciates the fact that Hibs signed him when his fortunes at Pittodrie were at a low ebb but the loyalty thing works both ways and Gary has accepted a cut in his wages as he recognises it’s a tough time in football just now."  The news that another experienced member of the current squad has agreed what is believed to be a significant cut in wages will now put pressure on those remaining to follow his lead and agree to lower wages at a time when finances in football in general are less stable than when their original contracts were signed.  McArthur acknowledged the interest from other clubs in his client but himself showed loyalty to his former employers in his dealings with this contract, "Clubs did ask about Gary but it didn’t go any further as we believe you should deal with the club you are with and only talk to others if it doesn’t work out.  Happily, we’ve been able to strike a new deal with Hibs."

Smith - loyalty from both sides in contract talks (sns)

While one defender has signed on the dotted line, Williamson continues to look at other options for possible partners in the heart of the defence.  Towering Irishman Clive Delaney has arrived at Easter Road on trial at as part of the Hibs boss's restructuring of the team from the back to the front.  The 6'5" defender has been freed by West Ham after just 3 months at Upton Park following his free transfer from University College Dublin in February, a move which was described by Glenn Roeder at the time as being "a gamble worth taking".  Delaney impressed the Hammers boss in training sufficiently to earn the contract without appearing in a game for the London club.  Whether Bobby Williamson is prepared to take the same gamble or not remains to be seen.

Both Volmer and Crystal Palace midfielder Steven Thomson look set to enter talks with Hibs Managing Director Rod Petrie over the next couple of days about extending their stay after impressing Bobby Williamson over the last week.  The 29 year old former team-mate of Rangers Stars Ronald de Boer, Michael Mols and Fernando Ricksen still has one year left on his current contract at troubled Dutch club AZ Alkmar but with the defence an area where they have a lot of cover, it's thought that they will be willing to cancel the final twelve months of his contract to help with their own wage problems, and it seems that he is one player willing to choose Hibs over English First Division sides with West Brom in particular offering Volmer a place on their pre-season tour. "Joost is hoping to secure a contract at Hibs as he has been impressed with the set-up at Easter Road and also loves Edinburgh as a city" his agent said last night.  "Top English First Division clubs are showing interest but, after being at Hibs, he would prefer to secure a deal here instead of waiting until later in the summer."  Thomson meanwhile has also impressed on his short spell at Easter Road.  George Wright who is representing the Scottish midfielder as well as Volmer is hopeful that talks to make his stay permanent can begin in the next few days..  "Steven had a successful trial at Hibs and is keen to move. We are hoping to begin talks shortly."