Ali Crawford

**Centre Hawf** · 25-04-2018 03:08 PM

On a free transfer I would be happy with this. As some folk have mentioned the guy was tipped to make a move down south at some point when Hamilton first got promoted at our expense. I remember him having a particularly great game against Celtic at Parkhead (I think they actually may have won the game) early on in the 14/15 season.

For whatever reason he's never left Hamilton, maybe through loyalty or perhaps Hamilton have went below a few scouts radars but I think this is definitely a deal worth taking. Swanson may come good but at 31 years old we have to also be trying to find folk in their mid 20's that have a bit longevity in them.

**emerald green** · 25-04-2018 05:20 PM

Is Crawford as good as McGinn, McGeouch, or Allan? Any one of those three is going to be extremely difficult to replace, especially McGinn.

**Tug Wilson** · 25-04-2018 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by emerald green

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Is Crawford as good as McGinn, McGeouch, or Allan? Any one of those three is going to be extremely difficult to replace, especially McGinn.

We have to accept that we might have none of these players come August.

The midfield may need a complete makeover. Ali Crawford seems like a decent addition to the squad.

**emerald green** · 25-04-2018 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by Tug Wilson

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We have to accept that we might have none of these players come August.

The midfield may need a complete makeover. Ali Crawford seems like a decent addition to the squad.

Yep that's a possibility, and it would be disappointing to lose all three.

I just want whoever comes in is at least as good as them if not better. A big ask I know, as players like McGinn don't come along very often. I admit I've not seen Crawford play much.

**number9dream** · 25-04-2018 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by Stevie Reid

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If we are looking to move onto the next level, we'll need three players of the quality of Allan, Swanson and Crawford anyway.

Yup. With Big Marv, that’s a decent start if we are to lose our dynamic duo.

**Flyman** · 25-04-2018 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by Tug Wilson

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We have to accept that we might have none of these players come August.

The midfield may need a complete makeover. Ali Crawford seems like a decent addition to the squad.

Celtic could have all three and only have to pay for one.

**Centre Hawf** · 25-04-2018 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by emerald green

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Yep that's a possibility, and it would be disappointing to lose all three.

I just want whoever comes in is at least as good as them if not better. A big ask I know, as players like McGinn don't come along very often. I admit I've not seen Crawford play much.

The fact of the matter is we may not get that. In fact it's highly unlikely we may get that. But what we can get is folk with the traits needed to improve and reach that level.

McGinn is potentially a £4m pound player. We wont find that ready made. We have to unearth one through good scouting and hopefully Neils coaching.

**Lago** · 25-04-2018 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by Centre Hawf

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The fact of the matter is we may not get that. In fact it's highly unlikely we may get that. But what we can get is folk with the traits needed to improve and reach that level.

McGinn is potentially a £4m pound player. We wont find that ready made. We have to unearth one through good scouting and hopefully Neils coaching.

Your right re McGinn, let not forget before he came to Hibs he was leaving St. Mirren to head for obscurity in the MLS.

**emerald green** · 25-04-2018 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by Centre Hawf

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The fact of the matter is we may not get that. In fact it's highly unlikely we may get that. But what we can get is folk with the traits needed to improve and reach that level.

McGinn is potentially a £4m pound player. We wont find that ready made. We have to unearth one through good scouting and hopefully Neils coaching.

I agree.

**Tug Wilson** · 25-04-2018 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by Centre Hawf

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The fact of the matter is we may not get that. In fact it's highly unlikely we may get that. But what we can get is folk with the traits needed to improve and reach that level.

McGinn is potentially a £4m pound player. We wont find that ready made. We have to unearth one through good scouting and hopefully Neils coaching.

This.

We cannot replace John McGinn with a ready made player of the same ability. We can replace him with another midfielder with the potential to grow to be as good as McGinn.

Same goes for Dylan and Scott.

So we might have a completely new midfield and Neil Lennon might have to reorganise how this midfield plays.

But we will have the same sound defence to build on.

Some excellent midfielders already at the club.

Hopefully at least one of our new strikers.

All in all the basis of a decent squad.

I think the recent recruitment shows that we can have faith in Hibs to get it right.

***Pagan Hibernia*** · 25-04-2018 08:17 PM

If we must lose this sparkling midfield, or most of it, id like to see some of the talented lads from the youth team eg Fraser Murray to be brought in or around the first team (if they’re good enough obviously). I appreciate it is probably a bit early for them now but they should get a few games/appearances here and there. Hibs have a wonderful reputation for bringing through their own players and I want that to continue. We don’t want the many mums and dads of talented youngsters all over the city to be thinking their laddies will get more of a chance wearing a bloodied turd colored shirt.

**monktonharp** · 25-04-2018 08:38 PM

SJM is irreplaceable. don't care what anyone says. wont get that type again

**stuart-farquhar** · 25-04-2018 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by monktonharp

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SJM is irreplaceable. don't care what anyone says. wont get that type again

That's a fact.

***jacomo*** · 25-04-2018 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by monktonharp

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SJM is irreplaceable. don't care what anyone says. wont get that type again

Of course we will, but it might take a while.

**Stu96** · 25-04-2018 10:24 PM

Important to remember we still have Slivka who is only 22! been unlucky with injury as well as the form of McGeouch & McGinn, more than capable of stepping in to their shoes next season IMO

***The Spaceman*** · 26-04-2018 06:59 AM

He is the kind of signing we should be looking to make IMHO. Would be happy if we got him, especially on a free!

***neil7908*** · 26-04-2018 07:05 AM

Originally Posted by Stu96

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Important to remember we still have Slivka who is only 22! been unlucky with injury as well as the form of McGeouch & McGinn, more than capable of stepping in to their shoes next season IMO

Good shout. Slivka, Bartley and Swanson are all under contract for at least another year. That's by no means my ideal midfield but better than the rubbish we've seen in year's gone by.

I'm excited to see more of Slivka in particular and although he's a different type of player from John, I think he could be a big, big player for us next season.

**Just Jimmy** · 26-04-2018 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by Stu96

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Important to remember we still have Slivka who is only 22! been unlucky with injury as well as the form of McGeouch & McGinn, more than capable of stepping in to their shoes next season IMO

A good point and Slivka does seem to have a knack for runs into the box etc.

Whatever we do we need more goals from our midfield next season.

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**SirDavidsNapper** · 26-04-2018 09:00 AM

I really think we'll sign Allan permanently this summer too. With him, Slivka, Crawford, Marv we'll be ok. Add to that Swanson. I've been his biggest critic on here but he was brilliant last Saturday. If SJM and Dylan do go then we're still looking good.

***Brightside*** · 26-04-2018 09:12 AM

Slivka was bought knowing we would be keeping a hold of SJM for long. I will be surprised if he isn't a huge part of our midfield next season.

**Souter96Mac** · 26-04-2018 09:14 AM

I'd be happy with this for next season:
Bartley
Slivka Crawford
Allan

With the likes of Swanson, Whittaker to also come in. Wouldn't mind that Kamara from Dundee too.

***bingo70*** · 26-04-2018 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by Souter96Mac

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I'd be happy with this for next season:
Bartley
Slivka Crawford
Allan

With the likes of Swanson, Whittaker to also come in. Wouldn't mind that Kamara from Dundee too.

I think Mulumbu is out of contract at The end of the season isn’t he? I’d hope he would be our first target assuming Mcginn and/or Mcgeouch leave.

**ToffeeCabbage** · 26-04-2018 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by Souter96Mac

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I'd be happy with this for next season:
Bartley
Slivka Crawford
Allan

With the likes of Swanson, Whittaker to also come in. Wouldn't mind that Kamara from Dundee too.

Assuming Mcgeouch and Mcginn go I think that is still a decent midfield. I'd obviously like us to strengthen where possible but the priority has got to be signing the loan boys up permanently and then build from there.

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**truehibernian** · 26-04-2018 10:25 AM

I’ll go for Stevie Mallan and Ali Crawford coming in during the summer, with an attempt made to get Scott Allan permanently and Lewis Morgan on loan if Celtic pursue SJM. I think Danny Swanson will leave.

**Souter96Mac** · 26-04-2018 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by truehibernian

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I’ll go for Stevie Mallan and Ali Crawford coming in during the summer, with an attempt made to get Scott Allan permanently and Lewis Morgan on loan if Celtic pursue SJM. I think Danny Swanson will leave.

Wouldn't say no to that.

**CMurdoch** · 26-04-2018 11:13 AM

Next season: Midfield

Slivka is our next big thing. A wonderful athlete and technically proficient player. He is settled and ready to step out of the McGinn & McGeough shadows next season.
Swanson is also ready to step out of the M & M shadow next season. Hope he backs himself and doesn't move on in the summer. Needs a great pre season, working as never before
Bartley will do as Bartley does when required.
The young midfielders Murray and Martin will be another year older, stronger and experienced. Could be their make or break season.

Crawford if he arrives is of the right quality.
Scott Allen is not wanted by Celtic and unless they play silly buggers by trying to make him a pawn in any McGinn transfer, should be ours either on a season loan or permanently.

That's 8 midfield players

Other possibilities:
Ex St Mirren player Mallen from Barnsley. Hopefully not setting the heather on fire down there. Free kick scoring specialist which could be useful.

Any other midfield players folks think we may sign or could plug our McGinn & McGeough gaps.

**Centre Hawf** · 26-04-2018 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by CMurdoch

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Next season: Midfield

Slivka is our next big thing. A wonderful athlete and technically proficient player. He is settled and ready to step out of the McGinn & McGeough shadows next season.
Swanson is also ready to step out of the M & M shadow next season. Hope he backs himself and doesn't move on in the summer. Needs a great pre season, working as never before
Bartley will do as Bartley does when required.
The young midfielders Murray and Martin will be another year older, stronger and experienced. Could be their make or break season.

Crawford if he arrives is of the right quality.
Scott Allen is not wanted by Celtic and unless they play silly buggers by trying to make him a pawn in any McGinn transfer, should be ours either on a season loan or permanently.

That's 8 midfield players

Other possibilities:
Ex St Mirren player Mallen from Barnsley. Hopefully not setting the heather on fire down there. Free kick scoring specialist which could be useful.

Any other midfield players folks think we may sign or could plug our McGinn & McGeough gaps.

I know he's not done much recently but I wouldn't be against having a look at Craig Sibbald from Falkirk now he's out of contract and won't command a development fee.

**CMurdoch** · 26-04-2018 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by Centre Hawf

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I know he's not done much recently but I wouldn't be against having a look at Craig Sibbald from Falkirk now he's out of contract and won't command a development fee.

The development fee issue has held that laddie back.
Not good enough for a team to pay it and too good for Falkirk to let him go.
Hope he gets a decent move.

**~~hibbyfraelibby~~** · 26-04-2018 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by Centre Hawf

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I know he's not done much recently but I wouldn't be against having a look at Craig Sibbald from Falkirk now he's out of contract and won't command a development fee.

Wont cut it in a top 6 team